Economists have largely neglected the phenomenon of NTTMs and its consequences for society so far, partly because of their limited interest in the social returns of trademarks in general. After reviewing the handful of economic studies on this matter, I present a first systematic empirical analysis of the extent of NTTM filings, with a focus on the number of filings, their nature, and the actors behind those filings. Using data from the USPTO, I find that NTTMs are steadily increasing, they are filed by very different types of firms, but they remain a relative small phenomenon, as compared to all trademark filings. I conclude by discussing avenues for further research.
The Social Returns to Education: A Review
