This book investigates the economic rationale and societal impact of the European patent system, specifically examining how intellectual property policy balances the incentives for inventors against the broader needs of competition and technological diffusion. The authors, Bruno van Pottelsberghe de la Potterie and Dominique Guellec, utilize their expertise in economic policy to evaluate the patent system's efficacy. They present a framework that contrasts theoretical economic models with empirical data to determine how patent structures influence innovation, market growth, and the dissemination of new technologies across international borders.

Experts recognize this work as a rigorous examination of the intersection between patent law and economic performance. Readers frequently note the technical depth of the analysis, making it a standard reference for policymakers and scholars interested in intellectual property economics.