On the distribution of patent citations and its fundamentals

- We estimate power-law coefficients on 19.2mn patent-family citations in PATSTAT.
- We explain these coefficients by economic fundamentals in quantile regressions.
- Citations are more dispersed where R&D levels and outward FDI are higher.

This paper analyzes features of the distribution of 3.7 mn. patent family applications from PatStat in 34 countries, 17 industries, and 11 years. Power-law regressions suggest that higher levels of R&D intensity and outward foreign direct investment in a country and sector are associated with a reduced concentration of patent citations.