Spatial and Temporal Evolution of Urban Patent Quality: Evidence From China Prefectural Cities

We develop a comprehensive patent quality index and analyze the spatial and temporal change of urban patent quality in China over the period 2001 to 2019. We focus on three critical dimensions of patent quality: technical, legal, and economic values. The findings indicate that Chinese urban patents demonstrate a gradual and sustained improvement in quality over time, yet substantial room for enhancement remains. Spatially, urban patent quality in China exhibits evident clustering patterns, with the coexistence of high-high, low-low, high-low, and low-high clusters. Moreover, a pronounced disparity exists between the eastern and western regions, with higher patent quality observed in the former and relatively lower quality in the latter, implying regional disparities. Our findings' implications are paramount for policymakers and regional development planners.