Foreign Patenting Behavior of Small and Large Firms: An Update

摘要

This report summarizes the results of a study investigating U.S. small-business foreign patenting behavior and how it differs from that of large business. Patents in foreign countries are necessary to protect sales of innovative products in those countries. Lack of patent protection abroad may cause small businesses to lose potential sales, both through reduced marketing channels and through the copying of their inventions by foreign competitors thus adversely affecting the U.S. econo my. This study covers domestic patents issued to U.S. small businesses in 1988, 1992, 1996, and 1998. The method employed was statistical analysis of pairs of small-business patents and largebusiness patents. Each pair was matched with respect to technology field and issue date.