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  5. The Early Development of Intellectual Property Institutions in the United States

Journal of Economic Perspectives

ISSN 0895-3309 (Print) | ISSN 1944-7965 (Online)

The Early Development of Intellectual Property Institutions in the United States

  • B. Zorina Khan
  • Kenneth L. Sokoloff
Journal of Economic Perspectives
vol. 15, no. 3, Summer 2001
(pp. 233–246)
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Abstract

The U.S. was a pioneer in establishing the world's first modern intellectual property system. That system was distinguished by the provision of broad access to, and strict enforcement of, property rights in new inventions, coupled with the requirement of public disclosure, and it was effective at stimulating the growth of a market for technology and technical change more generally. Far from being static, fundamental modifications were introduced over time in response to changing circumstances. That such adjustments so often proved to be constructive owes partly to a private market being a central feature of the system, and partly to the democratic structure of U.S. institutions.

Citation

Khan, B., Zorina, and Kenneth L. Sokoloff. 2001. "The Early Development of Intellectual Property Institutions in the United States." Journal of Economic Perspectives, 15 (3): 233–246. DOI: 10.1257/jep.15.3.233

JEL Classification

  • O34 Intellectual Property Rights
  • N42 Economic History: Government, War, Law, and Regulation: U.S.; Canada: 1913-
  • N41 Economic History: Government, War, Law, and Regulation: U.S.; Canada: Pre-1913
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