This paper examines the real effects of the dissemination of corporate disclosures on innovation.Using the staggered adoption of the EDGAR system as a positive shock to information
dissemination, I document that dissemination has positive effects on innovation efficiency and
follow-on innovation. My findings suggest that broader dissemination of corporate disclosures
leads to knowledge spillovers across firms and reduces uncertainty about the expected value of
innovation. Moreover, focal firms differentiate their innovation portfolios from their peers’
portfolios and invest in more novel technologies. These positive spillovers also extend to
innovation for private firms. Overall, my paper adds to the understanding of the impact of
disclosure processing costs on innovation.