Country-Specific Characteristics of Patent Applications in France, Germany and the UK in the Biotechnology Sectors

Author： Ramani Shyama V. de Looze Marie-Angele

ISSN： 1465-3990

Source： Technology Analysis and Strategic Management, Vol.14, Iss.4, 2002-12, pp. : 457-480

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Abstract

Given that institutions are highly country-specific, the differences in the national systems of innovation in the different countries of Europe are likely to give rise to country-specific patterns in new technology investment. The objective of this paper is to identify such differences, in the biotechnology sectors, in France, Germany and the UK. The results, based on an analysis of patent applications, indicate that France is focused on the 'dominant' technology of genetic engineering and its public laboratories and collective patent applications play an important role. Germany is leading in the total number of patent applications but is focused on 'intermediate' and 'residual' technologies with a significant number of individual depositors. The UK is leading in the 'dominant' technology. Its public laboratories and firms are strongly involved in depositing patents with a marked strategy of international protection.