Erickson (2014)
Contents
Source Details
Erickson (2014) | |
Title: | User Illusion: Ideological Construction of ‘User- Generated Content’ in the EC Consultation on Copyrigh |
Author(s): | Erickson, K. |
Year: | 2014 |
Citation: | Erickson, K. (2014) User Illusion: Ideological Construction of ‘User- Generated Content’ in the EC Consultation on Copyright. Internet Policy Review 4(3). DOI:10.14763/2014.4.331 |
Link(s): | Open Access |
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About the Data | |
Data Description: | The study selects 203 written responses from submissions to the European Commission’s consultation process on the review of copyright rules. 93 responses were from authors and their representatives, 32 from platforms and service providers, and 78 from user organisations. The study focusses on responses to a question concerning copyright and user-generated content and uses critical discourse analysis to determine how stakeholders constructed meaning in regards the user/content relationship. |
Data Type: | Primary and Secondary data |
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Cross Country Study?: | Yes |
Comparative Study?: | No |
Literature review?: | No |
Government or policy study?: | No |
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Abstract
"Recent policy consultations by the UK Intellectual Property Office, the US Patent and Trademark Office and the European Commission (EC) have highlighted the importance of user-generated content in debates to reform copyright. User-generated content (UGC) –often combining existing copyright material with transformative creativity –remains a contested terrain, with no clear or widely accepted definition. This paper examines how various stakeholders in the 2014 EC consultation on copyright attempted to shape the definition of UGC in order to suit their interests, sometimes aligning or conflicting with other stakeholder groups. Data from 203 written responses by registered stakeholders (authors, platform intermediaries and users) were subjected to a discourse analysis methodology. Key arguments and policy preferences from each stakeholder group are identified and discussed."
Main Results of the Study
Users are ascribed varying levels of agency, creativeness and productiveness depending on whether their activities are perceived as threatening or positive by the stakeholder group: • Rightsholders highlight the potential of user-generated content to as a threat to both their moral rights (by decontextualising the new content from the original work) and licensing revenue (where users monetise their content). • Platform owners view user-generated content more positively, highlighting its economic value and importance to freedom of expression. • Users view user-generated content as largely non-commercial and non-infringing (largely aligning with the views of platform owners).
Policy Implications as Stated By Author
The study concludes that the “lack of a stable definition of user-generated content may be politically advantageous for all stakeholders” by drawing audience attention to particular qualities of user-generated content whilst ignoring others. A more stable, objective definition of online creativity will be necessary to respond to the issue of online copyright.
Coverage of Study
Datasets
Sample size: | 93 |
Level of aggregation: | Individual |
Period of material under study: | 5 December 2013 - 5 March 2014 |
Sample size: | 32 |
Level of aggregation: | Internet Platforms |
Period of material under study: | 5 December 2013 - 5 March 2014 |
Sample size: | 78 |
Level of aggregation: | Organisations |
Period of material under study: | 5 December 2013 - 5 March 2014 |