Abstract. In this paper, we present a new ontology-based formalism for representing patent information. The framework defines concepts and relations for the major aspects of patent information pertaining to patent metadata, patent content structure, patent semantics, and patent classification. Each aspect is logically covered by an individual ontology module. The paper further discusses aspects...

According to the economic theory of patents, patents are needed so that pioneer firm have time to recoup their sunk costs of research and development. The key element in the economic theory is that pioneer firms have large, hard to recoup, sunk costs. Yet patents are not awarded on the basis of a firm’s sunk costs. Patent law, in fact, ignores costs. The disconnect between patent law and patent...

The growth of patent thickets—technology fields that are characterized by a large overlap of rights between different right holders—poses a challenge for innovators. Patent thickets are argued to create strong friction in innovation due to a pronounced potential for holdup. So far, we do not know whether patent thickets coincide in all patent systems or if differences exist that policy makers a...

Patent data have long been used as an indicator of the output of innovative processes. While simple patent counts are publicly available and easily obtained, the private and social value of innovations protected by patents varies widely, making patent counts too noisy an indicator of innovative output in many cases. In finding good measures of the value of patents, it is essential to observe th...

I. History of Chinese Patent Law ......................................................... 67 A. Enactment of Patent Law ............................................................................ 67 B. Subsequent Changes to China’s Patent Law: First Amendment to Patent Law (1992). .................................................................................................. 67 C. Second A...