Abstract: “Mass entrepreneurship and innovation” is an effective way to stimulate social innovation potential and entrepreneurial vigor. The role of intellectual property in entrepreneurial activities has attracted much attention. The paper examines the complex relationship between entrepreneurial activities and the application and use of patent through questionnaire surveys and field interviews of nearly 200 Shanghai technology startups. The survey found that patents have a weaker incentive for startups to innovation, but they play an important role in helping companies gain competitive advantage, such as preventing technology from copying, obtaining government support, and improving corporate image etc. Start-ups are reluctant to apply for patents for the insufficient legal protection and the fear of competitors’ follow-up R&D etc. The commercialization of the patent in entrepreneurship needs to be further strengthened besides the defensive purposes, and suggestions for improving the application of comprehensive patent strategies and raising the level of judicial protection are proposed.

摘要： 推进大众创业、万众创新是激发社会创新潜能和创业活力的有效途径。知识产权在创业活动中的作用备受关注。文章通过对近200家上海科技型创业企业的问卷调查和实地调研，考察了创业活动与专利申请应用之间的复杂关系。调查发现专利对初创企业创新活动的激励作用还比较弱，但是在帮助企业获得竞争优势方面起到较为重要作用，如防止技术复制抄袭、提高融资机会等；初创企业获取专利的目的主要是用于防御战略和获得政府支持；法律保护不力和担心竞争对手跟进研发是其不愿申请专利的主要原因；提出了加强专利的商业化运用和实施企业知识产权战略以及改善专利的管理和执法水平等政策建议。