@article {1340, title = {Innovation, Imitation and Open Source}, journal = {International Journal of Open Source Software and Processes}, volume = {1}, year = {2009}, pages = {28 - 42}, abstract = {An extensive empirical literature indicates that, even without formal intellectual property rights, innovators enjoy a variety of first-mover advantages and that {\textquoteleft}imitation{\textquoteright} is itself a costly activity. There is also accumulating evidence that an {\textquoteleft}open{\textquoteright} approach to knowledge production can deliver substantial efficiency advantages. This article introduces a formal framework incorporating all of these factors. We examine the relative performance of an {\textquoteleft}open{\textquoteright} versus a {\textquoteleft}closed{\textquoteright} (proprietary) regime, and explicitly characterize the circumstances in which an open approach, despite its effect on facilitating imitation, results in a higher level of innovation.}, issn = {1942-3934}, doi = {10.4018/jossp.2009040103}, author = {Pollock, Rufus} }