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Patent regimes play an increasingly complex role in encouraging innovation, diffusing scientific and technical knowledge, and enhancing market entry and firm creation. Between 1992 and 2002, the number of patent applications filed in Europe, Japan and the United States increased by more than 40%. The increasing use of patents to protect inventions by businesses and public research organisations is closely connected to recent evolutions in innovation processes, the economy and patent regimes. Well-informed and more global policies will be needed to prepare the patent system to meet these new challenges, so that it can continue to fulfil its role of encouraging innovation and technology diffusion.
This report presents the first results of ongoing OECD activity on patents, innovation and economic performance and highlights policy issues in the following areas:
Click here to read the report (pdf).
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