Exploring the spatial spillover effects of intellectual property protection and influencing factors

This study investigates the spatial dynamics of intellectual property (IP) protection in China, a topic garnering significant attention both domestically and internationally amid the country's innovation-driven development and emphasis on IP strategies. Utilizing panel data from 284 prefecture-level cities from 2005 to 2021, the spatial Durbin model is employed to analyze the spatial correlation and determinants of IP protection. Findings reveal a notable positive spatial dependence and spillover effects of IP protection. The spatial dependence is more pronounced between geographically adjacent cities than those with close economic ties. Moreover, patent output and the presence of national IP demonstration cities significantly bolster IP protection levels, underscoring the importance of both quality and a balanced quantity of patents. The impact of these factors varies with regional and urban scale heterogeneity, with more pronounced effects in eastern and larger cities. This research underscores the positive spatial effects of IP protection and its role in enhancing regional innovation capabilities, fostering high-quality economic development, and supporting innovation-driven strategies, offering valuable theoretical and practical insights.