A Generation of Software Patents
James E. Bessen
Boston University School of Law Working Paper 11-31
Berkman Center Research Publication No. 2011-04
Abstract
This report examines changes in the patenting behavior of the software industry since the 1990s. It finds that most software firms still do not patent, most software patents are obtained by a few large firms in the software industry or in other industries, and the risk of litigation from software patents continues to increase dramatically. Given these findings, it is hard to conclude that software patents have provided a net social benefit in the software industry.
JEL codes: O34 D23 L86
Keywords: patents, software, software patents, litigation, innovation, startup firms
Size: 168 KB
James E. Bessen Contact Information
jbessen@bu.edu
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