Interlectual property

Trademarks

Alongside patents, trademarks are among the most important intellectual property rights. In contrast to the highly advanced research area of patents, research on trademark rights is still comparatively young. Empirical studies conducted so far at the Chair of Corporate Management deal, among other things, with the motives for applying for trademark rights, with the value of trademark rights, and with the role of trademark rights in the context of venture capital.

• Block, J., Fisch, C., Ikeuchi, K., Kato, M. (2022). Trademarks as an indicator of regional innovation: Evidence from Japanese prefectures. Regional Studies. 56(2), 190-209.
  (article)

• Castaldi, C., Block, J., Flikkema, M. J. (2020). Editorial: why and when do firms trademark? Bridging perspectives from industrial organisation, innovation and entrepreneurship. Industry and Innovation, 27 (1-2): 1-10.
  (article - open access)

• De Vries, G., Pennings, E., Block, J., Fisch, C. (2017). Trademark or patent? The effects of market concentration, customer type, and venture capital financing on start-ups' initial IP applications. Industry and Innovation, 24(4): 325-345.
  (article - open access, working paper version)

• Zhou, H., Sandner, P., Martinelli, L., Block, J. (2016). Patents, trademarks, and their complementarity in venture capital funding. Technovation, 47: 14-22.
  (article, working paper version)

• Block, J., Fisch, C., Hahn, A. Sandner, P. (2015). Why do SMEs file trademarks? Insights from US firms in innovative industries. Research Policy, 44(10): 1915-1930.
  (article, working paper version)

• Block, J., Fisch, C., Sandner, P. (2014). Trademark families: Characteristics and market values. Journal of Brand Management, 21(2): 150-170.
  (article, working paper version)

• Block, J., De Vries, G., Schumann, J., Sandner, P. (2014). Trademarks and venture capital valuation. Journal of Business Venturing, 29(4): 453-484.
  (article, working paper version)

• Sandner, P., Block, J. (2011). The market value of R&D, patents and trademarks. Research Policy, 40(7): 969-985.
  (article, working paper version)

Patents from universities

Besides companies and individual inventors, universities are among the most active patent applicants. In several empirical studies, we have investigated this particular group of patent applicants, both in international comparison and with a specific focus on China.

• Fisch, C., Block, J., Sandner, P. (2016). Chinese university patents: Quantity, quality, and the role  of subsidy programs. Journal of Technology Transfer, 40(2): 318-345.
  (article, working paper version)

• Fisch, C., Hassel, T., Sandner, P., Block, J. (2015). University patenting: A comparison of 300 leading universities worldwide. Journal of Technology Transfer, 40(2): 318-345.
  (article, working paper version)

Patents in and from China

Another research focus of the professorship is the empirical analysis of Chinese patent activity, which has developed explosively in the recent past. Studies conducted so far deal with the quantitative and qualitative development of Chinese patents and with the transfer of patents in the context of M&As.

• Fisch, C., Block, J., Sandner, P. (2019). The impact of acquisitions on Chinese acquirers' innovation performance: An empirical investigation of 1,545 Chinese acquisitions. Journal of Business Economics / Zeitschrift für Betriebswirtschaft, 89(2), 125-153.
  (article - open access)

• Fisch, C., Sandner, P., Regner, L. (2017). The value of Chinese patents: An empirical investigation of citation lags. China Economic Review, 45, 22–34.
  (article)

• Fisch, C., Block, J., Sandner, P. (2016). Chinese university patents: Quantity, quality, and the role  of subsidy programs. Journal of Technology Transfer, 40(2), 318-345.
  (article, working paper version)