Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0
Author-Name: de Vries, A.G.B.
Author-Name-Last: de Vries
Author-Name-First: Geertjan
Author-Name: Pennings, H.P.G.
Author-Name-Last: Pennings
Author-Name-First: Enrico
Author-Person: ppe274
Author-Name: Block, J.H.
Author-Name-Last: Block
Author-Name-First: Jörn
Author-Person: pbl61
Title: Trademark or patent? The effects of market structure, customer type and venture capital financing on start-ups' IP decisions
Abstract: We analyze the initial intellectual property (IP) right of 4,703 start-up entrants in the US, distinguishing between trademark and patent applications. The results show that start-ups are more likely to file for a trademark instead of a patent when entering into more competitive market structures. Further, we find that start-ups with a focus on distribution that serves end-consumers are more likely to file for a trademark and that start-ups that operate upstream and sell to other businesses are more likely to file for a patent. Lastly, the external influences on a start-up‟s management, such as the involvement of a venture capitalist (VC), affect IP applications. The increased incentive of VC-backed start-ups to become operational on the market makes them more likely to file initial IP in the form of a trademark rather than a patent. Among other factors, we control for R&D and advertising intensity in the industry and distinguish between more technical and more service-driven industries.
Creation-Date: 2013-04-09
File-URL: https://repub.eur.nl/pub/39515/ERS-2013-002-STR.pdf
File-Format: application/pdf
Series: RePEc:ems:eureri
Number: ERS-2013-002-STR
Classification-JEL: D21, L10, L20, M00, O34
Keywords: competition, intellectual property, patents, trademarks, venture capital
Handle: RePEc:ems:eureri:39515