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We examine the role of patents as signals used to reduce information asymmetries in entrepreneurial finance. A theoretical model gives conditions for a unique separating equilibrium in which startup founders file for patents to signal invention quality to investors, as well as appropriating value. The theory allows for heterogeneous investors and examines the optimal match of different types of startups, as defined by the quality of their technology, to investors who differ in the amount of non financial capital they provide. The empirical analysis is consistent with the model's predictions using a novel dataset of Israeli startups that received external funding during the period 1994-2011. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a theoretical model of startup signaling with multiple signals and potential differences in external investor preferences. For a novel sample of technology incubator startups, we empirically examine the use of patents and founder, friends, and family (FFF) money as such signals, finding that they are jointly endogenous to venture capital and business angel investment in the startups. For this sample, venture capitalists appear to value patents more highly than FFF money, while the reverse is true for business angels. Moreover, the impact of patents on venture capitalists is larger than the impact of FFF money on business angels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the nature of the involvement of faculty in university licensing is important for understanding how technology is transferred through licensing as well as more controversial issues, such as the need for university licensing. Using data from a survey of firms that actively license in from universities, the authors explore the importance of faculty in the licensing and development of inventions, as well as how and why they are used and how the use of faculty relates to characteristics of firms. In particular, the authors find that the use of faculty through sponsored research in lieu of 'a license is closely related to the amount of basic research conducted by firms, whereas the use of faculty within the terms of a license is related to the prevalence of personal contacts between industry research and development researchers and university faculty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comments on an article regarding the effect of currency devaluation on domestic agricultural prices. Points raised by the article's authors; Shortcoming of the model used; Argument on the claim that there are neither theoretical nor empirical reasons for domestic prices to rise by no more than the rate of devaluation.

Presents information on price differentials of products. Details of product differentiation; Models that incorporate differentiated products.

The 1970s have seen sharp fluctuations in grain prices. Several plausible explanations for the unusual severity of these ups and downs have been advanced, including devaluation of the dollar for the upswing in 1972-74. U.S. wheat prices for the year of highest prices, 1973-74, are examined. A trade model that distinguishes wheat by country of origin is used to analyze various events in that year. It is concluded that insulating trade policies by wheat exporters and importers had the largest impact on U.S. wheat prices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines anticipatory product standards intended to improve the strategic position of firms in an international patent race. Research and development (R&D) by firms to develop products that are close substitutes; R&D under a national standard; Impact of standards set on consumers; Example of state-contingent policy.

In contrast to recent literature, we show that market access requirements (MARs) can be implemented in a procompetitive manner even in the absence of threats in related markets. By focusing on subsidies that are paid only when the requirement is met, we show that a MAR can increase aggregate output relative to free trade provided that the right set of firms is targeted. In the context of a model with multiple Japanese and U.S. firms, we show that a MAR on U.S. imports is procompetitive as long as the U.S. firms are the ones targeted to receive the subsidy. JEL Classification: F13. Est-ce que les subventions pour promouvoir la pénétration du marché étranger peuvent promouvoir la concurrence? Contrairement à ce qui ressort de la littérature spécialisée récente, les auteurs montrent que l'on peut mettre en place des mesures pour promouvoir la pénétration du marché étranger de telle manière que cela promeuve la concurrence, et ce même en l'absence de menaces dans des marchés reliés. En mettant l'accent sur les subventions payées quand les objectifs de pénétration sont remplis, on montre que de telles pratiques peuvent accroîre le niveau de production par rapport à ce qu'il serait dans un monde de libre-échange pourvu que le bon ensemble de firmes soit ciblé. Dans un modèle où coexistent plusieurs firmes américaines et japonaises, on montre que de tels efforts quand ils portent sur les importations en provenance des Etats-Unis promeuvent la concurrence tant que ce sont les firmes américaines qui reçoivent la subvention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]