IPRs and international knowledge flows: Evidence from six large emerging countries

This paper studies international knowledge flows looking at: (i) patent citations that track codified knowledge and (ii) technological collaborations between inventors that gauge knowledge transmitted through face to face contacts. It uses a gravity model for 13 countries (Brazil, Russian Federation, India, China, South Africa, Mexico, the USA, the UK, Japan, Italy, Germany, France and Canada) using EPO data. In the case of tacit knowledge flows it shows that intellectual property rights (IPRs) reinforcement has no effect and that sharing a common legal origin and technological proximity are more important than geographical distance. In the case of codified knowledge flows IPRs reinforcement has a positive effect only when applicants' citations are considered.