Measuring the value of inventions in the intellectual property landscape is a complex challenge. Experts rely on patent valuation techniques that use resources like the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). This study contributes to patent value research by examining the relationship between the geographic distance among collaborating inventors and patent value indicators. Scholars have suggested that the value of an invention increases as the geographic distance between co-inventors grows. To test this proposition, the study conducted a regression analysis on a dataset of over two million USPTO patents. The analysis controlled for patent and inventor characteristics and consistently found a positive influence of geographic distance on patent value. These findings challenge assumptions and offer insights into collaborative innovation dynamics. They have significant implications for innovation management, urging inventors and organizations to carefully consider spatial factors and recognize the advantages of extended geographic distances when forming collaboration networks. By strategically selecting partners, inventors can optimize patent value, foster innovation, and navigate the evolving intellectual property landscape effectively.

衡量知识产权领域发明的价值是一项复杂的挑战。专家依赖使用美国专利商标局 (USPTO) 等资源的专利评估技术。本研究通过研究合作发明人之间的地理距离与专利价值指标之间的关系，为专利价值研究做出贡献。学者们认为，发明的价值随着共同发明人之间地理距离的增加而增加。为了检验这一主张，该研究对超过 200 万个美国专利商标局专利的数据集进行了回归分析。该分析控制了专利和发明人特征，并一致发现地理距离对专利价值有积极影响。这些发现挑战了假设，并提供了对协作创新动态的见解。它们对创新管理具有重大影响，敦促发明者和组织在形成协作网络时仔细考虑空间因素并认识到延长地理距离的优势。通过战略性地选择合作伙伴，发明人可以优化专利价值、促进创新并有效驾驭不断变化的知识产权格局。