Innovative Potential in European Countries: Analytical and Legal Aspects

European economies based on country's ability to export high-tech goods and services, which means innovating beyond the country's needs. Design/Methodology/Approach: We use analytical economic methodology to explore innovative potential of EE (Eastern Europe) countries as correlation-regression analysis. Findings: The study found that the innovative potential of the economy of EE (Eastern Europe) countries depends on the state's expenditures on innovative research and development, the number of scientists and the level of financing for technical cooperation. Practical Implications: The negative factors that influence the formation of innovative potential are identified. The use of intellectual property rights by EE countries is inefficient and does not ensure the development of innovative potential. Patents for research and development of residents as well as non-residents do not ensure the progress and effectiveness of the innovative potential of the economy. The export of ICT services negatively affects innovative potential, however it is not a significant factor influencing innovative activity. Originality/Value: With this article we show that financing technical cooperation in EE countries does not lead to the development of innovative potential, that is, it is inefficient.