Patentes de invenção concedidas a residentes no Brasil: indicações da eficiência dos gastos em pesquisa e desenvolvimento

Abstract

There is a large body of literature on patents as indicators of technological progress but this connection has not been well explored in Brazil. This paper uses data on patents granted to Brazilian residents (individuals or firms) to evaluate expenditures on Research and Development (R&D), starting with an initial survey of patent statistics. The primary source of the data is the National Institute for Industrial Property (INPI).The INPI data provide information regarding the performance of the Brazilian System of Science and Technology (SBCT). A preliminary examination of statistics on the number of patents and the expenditures on R&D suggests that the System is inefficient as compared to other countries. There is evidence to support this conclusion even under the extenuating circumstances considered in the text: a) actual expenditures for R&D are likely to be less than the amount declared; b) expenditures for R&D may result in technological absorption without involving patents; and c) the work of the SBCT is particulary concentrated in the agricultural sector, where there is only a small tendency to patent innovations.