ABSTRACT
How efficient is the US patent litigation system? We quantify the extent to which the litigation system shapes innovation using a novel dynamic model, in which heterogeneous firms innovate and face potential patent lawsuits. We show that the impact of a litigation reform depends on how heterogeneous firms endogenously select into lawsuits. Calibrating the model, we find that weakening plaintiff rights through fewer defendant injunctions increases firm innovation and output growth, improving social welfare by 3.32%. Raising plaintiff pleading requirements, which heightens barriers to filing lawsuits, likewise promotes innovation, boosts output growth, and enhances social welfare.
Antill, Samuel and Celik, Murat Alp and Tian, Xu and Whited, Toni M, The Efficiency of Patent Litigation (November 18, 2023).
Leave a Reply