The impact of the institution of patent protection and enforcement on entry mode strategy: A panel data investigation of U.S. firms

► We model interactions between U.S. firm license receipts and national patent regimes. ► We employ separate measures of book law patent protection and de facto enforcement. ► Affiliate licensing is associated with stronger national book law patent protection. ► Non-affiliate licensing is associated with stronger de facto law enforcement levels. ► Entry mode choice is influenced by enforcement issues as well as patent law strength.