United States: The patent system was exported to the colonial empire and (e.g. some American British colonies such as Carolina) and thus made its way into the US constitution ''to promote the progress of science and useful arts, by securing for limited times to authors and inventors the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries'' (U.S. Constitution, Article I, Section 8). This formulation had not been included in the first draft and there is also evidence that its inclusion may have been facilitated by well-administered lobbying effort: ''A quaint but perhaps important early instance involves the efforts of John Fitch, one of the persons who claimed to have invented the steamboat, to obtain patent protection for his invention. During the week of August 20, 1787, Fitch invited at least three (and perhaps many more) members of the Constitutional Convention to see a demonstration (and perhaps to ride upon) his invention. What exactly was discussed during this demonstration we will never know, but the chances are good that he pressed on the delegates the need for firmer, national patent laws. Fitch's timing was either shrewd or fortuitous. On August 18, the first draft of what ultimately became the intellectual-property clause had first been presented to the delegates. By September 5, they had settled on the language that was ultimately incorporated into the Constitution.'' [8].
France: When Bouflers presented a petition of inventors for patents to the National Assembly in 1791 the US were already shining example: ''They didn't have these vain scruples, these strong and wise Americans, these friends worthy of all freedom, who, in their new constitution, have adopted the legislation of the English industry'' [28].
Germany: Huge lobbying efforts were necessary to implement patents in Germany in 1877. ''The generation of the patent law is an early example how a pressure group is formed in relatively short time generating an opinion change in ministries and public opinion and mould it fastly into legislation'' [3]. Again in Germany, the comparison with Britain that assert patents rights in 1872 played a role [3].
Vertical extension: The ''the-others-have-it'' pattern also has played a role in the vertical extension of IP, e.g. in the extension of copyright to musical recordings (US 1971), computer programs (US 1980) and architecture (US 1990). It can also be observed in the discussion on software patents in Europe: ''The US patent system dominates the world, and if we had the same system here then Siemens would apply for more patents, for our engineers concentrate rather on the home market. Of course we could just apply for the patents in the US but this makes it more difficult to motivate our people for patent development'' [24]. or ''Although when agreeing on standards in international standardization authorities it is customary that involved patent holders must agree to grant licenses to adequate non-discriminatory conditions. Nonetheless a company that does not possess any relevant patents is disadvantaged.'' [15].