The aim of this paper is to examine methods of appropriability in French high-tech firms. Prior studies have found some balanced use and adoption of patents across sectors. Following these empirical surveys, our study focuses on the utilisation of comparative approaches to explain differences between French firms in the matter of appropriability. In order to compare these firms, this paper presents a quantitative analysis of all appropriability mechanisms, that is, patents, formal methods and strategic methods of appropriation. The study database contains information on 358 high-tech firms in France for the period 1998–2000. The empirical results show that: 1. Sectoral differences exist in the matter of knowledge appropriation. 2. Few firms declared using patents as a protection mechanism. 3. Lead-time on competitors is the first means of appropriation, followed by secrecy.