Stephen Billington
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steve-bill-econ.bsky.social
Stephen Billington
@steve-bill-econ.bsky.social
1K followers 630 following 1 posts
Lecturer in Economics at Ulster University | Economic history, Patents, Innovation.

https://pure.ulster.ac.uk/en/persons/stephen-billington
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steve-bill-econ.bsky.social
Stephen Billington @steve-bill-econ.bsky.social · Sep 30
My new publication (co-authored with Joe Lane) has been published online! We look at a lesser known instance where the British State intervened into the patent system to procure new innovations! Read it here: doi.org/10.1093/ereh...
Procuring Promising Provisions: the British Patent System and the Navy Proviso, 1794–1831
Abstract. In 1794, the British State intervened in the patent system by introducing the Navy proviso, a legal proviso targeted at select patents compelling
doi.org
Reposted by Stephen Billington
theehes.bsky.social
A new article and blog post!

"Procuring Promising Provisions: the British Patent System and the Navy Proviso, 1794–1831"

By Stephen Billington (@steve-bill-econ.bsky.social) and Joe Lane

doi.org/10.1093/ereh...
Procuring Promising Provisions: the British Patent System and the Navy Proviso, 1794–1831
Abstract. In 1794, the British State intervened in the patent system by introducing the Navy proviso, a legal proviso targeted at select patents compelling
doi.org
October 2, 2025 at 6:16 AM
steve-bill-econ.bsky.social
My new publication (co-authored with Joe Lane) has been published online! We look at a lesser known instance where the British State intervened into the patent system to procure new innovations! Read it here: doi.org/10.1093/ereh...
Procuring Promising Provisions: the British Patent System and the Navy Proviso, 1794–1831
Abstract. In 1794, the British State intervened in the patent system by introducing the Navy proviso, a legal proviso targeted at select patents compelling
doi.org
September 30, 2025 at 9:38 AM
Reposted by Stephen Billington
cliochris.bsky.social
New working paper, co-authored with Homer Wagenaar.

We look at the strange but smart patent system of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands (1815–1830) — a mix of examination + royal discretion of patent terms.

Turns out: it worked better than you'd think.

www.quceh.org.uk/uploads/1/0/...
Patently Peculiar: Patents and Innovation in the United Kingdom of the Netherlands By Homer Wagenaar and Christopher L. Colvin
April 11, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Reposted by Stephen Billington
cliochris.bsky.social
New working paper alert: "Financing Innovation: The Role of Patent Examination". @steve-bill-econ.bsky.social, Christopher Coyle and I have been working on this for quite a while now. We are excited to have a full draft for your enjoyment! www.quceh.org.uk/uploads/1/0/...
Financing Innovation: The Role of Patent Examination. Stephen D. Billington, Christopher L. Colvin and Christopher Coyle. How does patent examination influence access to finance for innovative firms? We exploit a reform to the UK’s patent system that introduced substantive examination to the patent application process, improving the information available to potential investors on the value of firms’ patents. Using a newly compiled firm-level dataset of exchange-listed corporations, we find that firms holding examined patents were able to borrow more, reflecting improved access to capital markets, and leading to firm growth. Our results highlight the role of patent examination in reducing information asymmetries, enhancing the signalling value of patents, and mitigating financial barriers to innovation.
January 28, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Reposted by Stephen Billington
gandres.bsky.social
I just created a starter pack focused on Economics of Innovation. Please join or share it!: go.bsky.app/9rkv2nx
#Economics #Innovation
November 11, 2024 at 3:03 PM
Reposted by Stephen Billington
pseudoerasmus.bsky.social
This is the THIRD economic history starter pack, so economic history has more dedicated starter packs than any other!
November 17, 2024 at 5:57 AM