INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY-RIGHTS AND ECONOMIC-GROWTH

This paper studies the relationship between intellectual property righ ts (IPRs) and economic growth for a cross-section of countries for the period 1960-1990. The analysis focuses on effects of lPRs on growth u sing a quantitative index of IPRs. The paper finds that IPRs affect ec onomic growth indirectly by stimulating the accumulation of factor inp uts like R&D and physical capital. The positive effects of IPRs on fac tor accumulation, particularly of R&D capital, are present even when t he analysis controls for a more general measure of property rights. (J EL O34, O40).