Friday 18th June - Patent Economics

This week Can will introduce a discussion on whether we need patents to incentivise agents to innovate, or whether it is better to abolish them for promoting rent-seeking behaviour.

For some background reading in support of abolition:

• David K. Levine’s webpage: http://www.dklevine.com/

• Levine and Boldrin’s book (fully downloadable): http://www.dklevine.com/general/intellectual/againstfinal.htm

• Their blog: http://www.againstmonopoly.org/

• A Podcast with Michele Boldrin: http://www.econtalk.org/archives/2009/05/boldrin_on_inte.html

And on their benefits:

• http://www.jstor.org/stable/2265190

As usual, we will meet in the STICERD social space at 6pm.