This paper constructs a North–South quality-ladder model in which foreign direct investment (FDI) is determined by the endogenous location choice of firms, and examines analytically how strengthening patent protection in the South affects welfare in the South. Strengthening patent protection...

This paper examines the welfare-maximizing degree of patent protection in a growth model where the engines of economic growth are R&D and public services. The result shows that if public services are small, the welfare-maximizing level of patent protection is weaker.