INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS PROTECTION AND IMITATION: AN EMPIRICAL EXAMINATION OF JAPANESE F.D.I. IN CHINA

Abstract.  By using data obtained from a questionnaire survey to Japanese firms in China, we empirically examine the effects of the IPR protection against local illegal imitation. No evidence has been found that patent and trademark registration, which constitutes a part of the IPR protection system, has a protective effect. On the contrary, the results suggest that the patent and trademark registration system may play a role in facilitating local illegal imitation and may be easing technology transfer/diffusion in China.