1 Are Patent Subsidies for SMEs Effective? Empirical evidence from Italy

Over the last decade, public patent subsidies have played an important role in several countries in enhancing international filings by domestic companies, expecially SMEs. In this paper, we first analyze the policy actions based on patent subsidies implemented in Italy from year 2002 to year 2011. We then use data from a sample of 222 subsidized and control patents, in order to assess the impact on patent value of the first and the largest of such programs. We conclude by discussing policy recommendations for the optimal design of patent subsidy schemes