General introduction -- Introduction -- A short history of the patent system -- Foundations of patent systems -- An introduction to patent law and policy instruments -- Introduction -- The optimal patent term -- Patent scope -- Patent breadth -- The non-obviousness standard -- Introduction --...

When the home country introduces a patent law after the winner of the patent race is known the country's welfare may rise only if the domestic firm wins. If the home country decides before the patent race ends, the welfare may be increased when the probability that the domestic firm wins is...