Question

Small firms that file for patents typically produce _____ more patents per employee than large patenting firms.

a.
twice
b.
3 to 4 times
c.
6 to 7 times
d.
9 to 10 times
e.
13 to 14 times

Answer 1

The exact figure for how many more patents per employee small firms produce compared to large firms is not provided in the references. Small firms are generally known for a higher patent to employee ratio due to innovation focus.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student's question is seeking statistical information on patent filing by firm size. While the provided references mention the increased number of patent applications, the surge in patents during the 1990s, and various aspects of the patent system, the exact figure comparing the number of patents produced per employee by small firms versus large firms isn't provided in the sources.

However, based on external knowledge that may not be up to date or exhaustive, smaller firms are often known to have a higher number of patents per employee, as they typically have fewer employees and a focus on innovation to compete with larger companies. If this pattern still holds, the answer could be that small firms file for more patents per employee than large patenting firms, but without current and specific data, one shouldn't speculate on the exact multiple.