Illuminating Innovation: From Patent Racing to Patent War
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Level 4 by design analogy (qualitative historical case study).
OpenAlex W3122487016 · doi:10.31219/osf.io/jk7az_v1
What was done
The author conducted a historical case study examining the development and litigation of patents surrounding the incandescent light bulb, focusing on Thomas Edison's experience to evaluate the "innovation hypothesis" and Mark Lemley's theoretical model of "patent racing."
What was found
The abstract reports no numerical data. Qualitatively, Edison's patenting experience supported the descriptive validity of the patent racing model for early-stage invention and initial patent filings, but post-filing dynamics and subsequent litigation shifted competitive behavior from a race into a patent war.
Why it matters
It highlights that theoretical models focusing solely on the race to file patents overlook post-issuance litigation, complicating the assumed link between patent protection and innovation.
Limits
Findings rely on a single historical case study of the light bulb industry and may not generalize to other technologies or modern regulatory contexts. The abstract reports no quantitative measurements or statistical analysis.
Cited by
- context Thomas Edison did not invent the light bulb.