@article{48858,
      author = {Fink, Carsten, and Kahn, Mosahid, and Zhou, Hao,},
      url = {http://tind.wipo.int/record/48858},
      title = {Exploring the worldwide patent surge.},
      abstract = {Worldwide patent filings are at historically unprecedented  levels. In 2011, the total number of patent applications  for the first time exceeded two million – double the  approximately 1.05 million patents filed in 1995.  Understanding what is behind this growth is important, as  it may indicate faster technological progress, new  innovation models and strategic shifts in how companies use  the patent system. Policy-makers need to understand what  drives the growth in patenting worldwide, not least to  evaluate how the patent system can cope with the increasing  flow of applications. A number of studies have looked at  the growth in patent filings in individual countries, but  have not focused on the world as a whole. This paper seeks  to fill this gap by providing an analysis of global  patenting trends using the most comprehensive data  currently available. Among other things, it finds that  subsequent patent filings – additional filings of the  same invention, mostly in additional countries –  contributed considerably to the growth in filings  worldwide, pointing to globalization as one important  driver of filing growth. However, no single factor can  fully explain the marked increase in the use of the patent  system.},
      recid = {48858},
      pages = {1 online resource (pp.  114-142).},
}