Will Domestic Imitative Threats Influence High-Tech Imports? Evidence from Taiwan

Abstract

In contrast to existing empirical studies focusing on the relationship of foreign patent rights protection and exports, this paper investigates how a country’s high-tech importation is influenced by domestic imitative threats. Using a panel data of four high-tech industries in 1989–2003 and the augmented gravity model, we conclude that reducing imitative threat increased Taiwan’s importation of high-tech products.