[E] Brands under Gravity: Intellectual Property and International Trade
Le 23 mai 2025
Abstract
Not all firms register their trademarks despite the relatively low cost of filing abroad and at home. We address this puzzle by showing that trademark registrations follow a gravity structure: firms protect their brands in nearby markets with high market potential, mirroring the geography of their export sales. Using this gravity pattern to guide identification, we find that protecting brands abroad positively affects bilateral exports. Firms therefore seek targeted protection rather than global coverage, underscoring trademarks as an overlooked channel through which intangible assets stimulate trade.
