Based on panel data of 266 city pairs from 2008 to 2021 in Jiangsu and Zhejiang Provinces, a Probit model was utilized to delve into the impact of intellectual property(IP) protection on corporate technology mergers and acquisitions(M&A). It is found that establishing IP courts can significantly enhance the activity in technology M&A. To ensure the robustness of our findings, interference from other policy changes was controlled. A counterfactual test and key city data exclusion method were employed, further verifying the positive role of IP court establishment in promoting corporate technology M&A activities. The findings can provide strong empirical evidence for strengthening the IP protection mechanism and stimulating the vitality of technology M&A, which is crucial for regional economic development.

intellectual property protection  /  technology mergers and acquisitions  /  intellectual property courts  /  regional economic development