Empirical Copyright Research

Copyright is one of the most contested fields of internet regulation. Strong copyright protection is routinely assumed to be a key factor in the creative economies. Yet, empirical evidence for its specific effects on creativity and innovation is still scarce. The debate is dominated by normative and legal perspectives. But in which ways does copyright really incentivise creative production? Are media sectors dependent on strong property rights to generate revenue? What is the relationship between imitation and innovation? Is there a clear-cut delineation of legitimately building on existing ideas on the one hand and plagiarising someone else’s work on the other? How are algorithms regulating the distribution, consumption and sharing of cultural goods?

Norms, discourses, routines: Copyright is more than law

The research project Empirical Copyright Research contributes to the nascent field of empirical copyright research with innovative theoretical perspectives and empirically grounded case studies. The theoretical background reflects recent governance approaches, emphasising decentralisation of rule-making and political authority. Thus, the circulation of cultural goods is not only shaped by copyright provisions. Business models, public discourses and norms, daily routines and practices similarly contribute to the ordering of digitally networked environments.

What’s the role of copyright in everyday creative practices?

The empirical case studies address sectors such as the digital games industry or audio-visual format production, as well as social media platforms. Lacking clear-cut copyright provisions, digital games and audio-visual formats produce considerable revenues nonetheless. What are strategies to produce and monetise creative goods in these contexts? How do creators understand their own work? Is originality a necessary ingredient of creative production? This project asks the people involved: designers, programmers, artists, managers and legal consultants.