The Choice between Formal and Informal Intellectual Property: A Review

Bronwyn Hall, Christian Helmers (), Mark Rogers and Vania Sena

Journal of Economic Literature, 2014, vol. 52, issue 2, 375-423

Abstract: We survey the economic literature, both theoretical and empirical, on the choice of intellectual property protection by firms. Our focus is on the trade-offs between using patents and disclosing versus the use of secrecy, although we also look briefly at the use of other means of formal intellectual property protection.

JEL-codes: D82 K11 O31 O34 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2014
Note: DOI: 10.1257/jel.52.2.375
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (206)

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Working Paper: The Choice between Formal and Informal Intellectual Property: A Review (2014)
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