Navigating the global landscape: the role of technological fusion and transnational knowledge in shaping standard-essential patents

Abstract

In the rapidly evolving landscape of global technology, the designation of Standard-Essential Patents (SEPs) plays a crucial role in shaping societal and technological strategies. This study explores the intricate relationship between technological fusion and its impact on the likelihood of a patent being recognised as an SEP. It further examines the moderating influence of international collaboration, as seen through the involvement of diverse international assignees and inventors. Utilising a comprehensive dataset of declared SEPs from 1977 to 2014, compared against a control group of non-SEPs, the study employs probit regression analysis to test its hypotheses. The findings suggest that an increased degree (i.e. criticality) of technological fusion within patents correlates with a decreased probability of SEP recognition. Additionally, this negative correlation is accentuated by factors associated with transnational knowledge collaboration, such as referencing international assignees and inventors. While rooted in the domain of patent analysis, the study's insights have significant implications for SEP developers, policymakers, and stakeholders at the nexus of technology and international collaboration, offering a novel perspective on the complex interplay between technological innovation, global knowledge sharing, and SEP recognition.