Biasi and Moser (2018)
Contents
Source Details
Biasi and Moser (2018) | |
Title: | Effects of Copyrights on Science |
Author(s): | Biasi, B., Moser, P. |
Year: | 2018 |
Citation: | Biasi, B. and Moser, P. (2018) Effects of Copyrights on Science. American Economic Journal: Microeconomics |
Link(s): | Definitive , Open Access |
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About the Data | |
Data Description: | The study constructs a dataset based on 334 books listed in the Book Republication Program (United States group) and 1,683 books listed in the catalogs of the Swiss National Library (Swiss control group) (total = 2,017). Citations referring to these books are confirmed primarily via Google Scholar, with cross checks in US Library Holdings. |
Data Type: | Primary and Secondary data |
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Cross Country Study?: | No |
Comparative Study?: | No |
Literature review?: | No |
Government or policy study?: | No |
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Abstract
“Copyrights, which establish intellectual property in music, science, and other creative goods, are intended to encourage creativity. Yet, copyrights also raise the cost of accessing existing work— potentially discouraging future innovation. This paper uses an exogenous shift towards weak copyrights (and low access costs) during WWII to examine the potentially adverse effects of copyrights on science. Using two alternative identification strategies, we show that weaker copyrights encouraged the creation of follow-on science, measured by citations. This change is driven by a reduction in access costs, allowing scientists at less affluent institutions to use existing knowledge in new follow-on research.”
Main Results of the Study
• Following the US nullification of German copyright’s in 1942, the average cost of books decreased (approx. 25%), and citations to both English-language books and Swiss-language books sharply increased (80% and 67% respectively). These two factors seem to have a complementary effect, with each 10% decline in price of a BRP book being associated with 38% additional citations by English-language authors.
• Certain genres saw more disproportionate effects, with e.g. mathematics seeing more new works created compared to e.g. chemistry. This may be because certain disciplines, such as chemistry, will always be tied to other physical capital (such as e.g. laboratory space)
• As an alternative measure of stimulated creativity, the study also finds that post-BRP, patents which made reference to BRP books increased by 15%. More mathematics PhDs were also associated with BRP book availability (using geographic measures of proximity).
Policy Implications as Stated By Author
Whilst the study does not make any explicit policy recommendations, the authors conclude that stronger copyright laws may disincentivise the creation of new science. Related to this, lower prices and targeted subsidies may also encourage creation.
Coverage of Study
Datasets
Sample size: | 2,017 |
Level of aggregation: | Books |
Period of material under study: | 1920 - 1970 |