Abstract: This paper attempts to explore China’s optimal intellectual property protection level through studying the effects of intellectual property rights (IPR) on economic growth. Firstly, the paper selects openness and R&D activities as control variables, and constructs empirical regression model. Secondly, China’s physical capital stocks, technology capital stocks from 1985 to 2009 are calculated, and China’s level of IPR from 1985 to 2010 is also calculated. Finally, empirical analysis is conducted using China’s time series data. The results show that the relationship between IPR and economic growth is inverted “U”, and the optimal IPR index for China is 3.564. Now China’s intellectual property protection level is lower than this optimal point. As a result, strengthening China’s IPR protection can promote economic growth, and these effects are mainly through the channels of international trade and R&D activities.

摘要： 本文通过研究知识产权保护对经济增长的作用关系，探究中国最优知识产权保护强度。首先，选取国际贸易开放度和R&D活动作为控制变量,构建了实证回归模型。其次，测算了1985-2009年中国的固定资本存量、技术知识存量，以及1985-2010年中国的知识产权保护强度。最后，利用中国的时间序列数据，实证研究发现中国知识产权保护对经济增长的作用呈倒“U”型关系，最优的知识产权保护强度值为3.564。中国现有的知识产权保护强度并没有达到最优值，继续加强知识产权保护对经济增长有着正向的促进作用，且主要通过国际贸易和R&D活动的渠道发挥作用。

关键词: 知识产权保护, 国际贸易, R&D活动, 经济增长, intellectual property rights, international trade, R&D activities, economic growth