Silbey (2014b)

From Copyright EVIDENCE

Advertising Architectural Publishing of books, periodicals and other publishing Programming and broadcasting Computer programming Computer consultancy Creative, arts and entertainment Cultural education Libraries, archives, museums and other cultural activities

Film and motion pictures Sound recording and music publishing Photographic activities PR and communication Software publishing Video game publishing Specialised design Television programmes Translation and interpretation

1. Relationship between protection (subject matter/term/scope) and supply/economic development/growth/welfare 2. Relationship between creative process and protection - what motivates creators (e.g. attribution; control; remuneration; time allocation)? 3. Harmony of interest assumption between authors and publishers (creators and producers/investors) 4. Effects of protection on industry structure (e.g. oligopolies; competition; economics of superstars; business models; technology adoption) 5. Understanding consumption/use (e.g. determinants of unlawful behaviour; user-generated content; social media)

A. Nature and Scope of exclusive rights (hyperlinking/browsing; reproduction right) B. Exceptions (distinguish innovation and public policy purposes; open-ended/closed list; commercial/non-commercial distinction) C. Mass digitisation/orphan works (non-use; extended collective licensing) D. Licensing and Business models (collecting societies; meta data; exchanges/hubs; windowing; crossborder availability) E. Fair remuneration (levies; copyright contracts) F. Enforcement (quantifying infringement; criminal sanctions; intermediary liability; graduated response; litigation and court data; commercial/non-commercial distinction; education and awareness)

Source Details

Silbey (2014b)
Title: Promoting Progress: A Qualitative Analysis of Creative and Innovative Production
Author(s): Silbey, J.
Year: 2014
Citation: Sibley, J. (2014) Promoting Progress: A Qualitative Analysis of Creative and Innovative Production, in The SAGE Handbook of Intellectual Property (SAGE Publications, 2014), p. 515
Link(s): Open Access
Key Related Studies:
Discipline:
Linked by: Garcia, Hicks and McCrary (2020)
About the Data
Data Description: Data were obtained from 50 semi-structured interviews with artists, scientists, lawyers and business managers from diverse fields. Thereafter, transcripts were coded according to conceptual themes, doubly assisted with the use of Atlas.ti software.
Data Type: Primary data
Secondary Data Sources:
Data Collection Methods:
Data Analysis Methods:
Industry(ies):
Country(ies):
Cross Country Study?: No
Comparative Study?: No
Literature review?: No
Government or policy study?: No
Time Period(s) of Collection:
Funder(s):

Abstract

“This chapter is based on data collected as part of a larger qualitative empirical study based on face-to-face interviews with artists, scientists, engineers, their lawyers, agents and business partners. Broadly, the project involves the collecting and analysis of these interviews to understand how and why the interviewees create and innovate and to make sense of the intersection between intellectual property law and creative and innovative activity from the ground up. This chapter specifically investigates the concept of “progress” as discussed in the interviews. “Promoting progress” is the ostensible goal of the intellectual property protection in the United States, but what exactly “progress” means is largely a mystery – doctrinally, culturally and empirically. This chapter describes but avoids solving the mystery in terms of the theoretical literature and instead investigates the notion of “progress” in terms of the motives the interviewees provide for engaging in creative and innovative behavior that is (or could be) protected as intellectual property. Across the interviews, there are common themes that tie together specific notions of progress as related to personal desires as well as public benefits. The chapter will describe these themes and investigate whether and how intellectual property facilitates the various forms of “progress” envisioned or hoped for by the interviewees.”

Main Results of the Study

“Progress” is understood to have two characteristics: first, it is directional (improving upon former knowledge), and; secondly it is qualitative (it must be better than what came before). As such, progress may involve an intellectual challenge, uniqueness and novelty; it fills a particular need. Previous works are perceived as a catalyst or inspiration to creating new works.

Everyday working practices are an important factor in determining progress. In this regard, creators often don’t use the full ambit of the rights they are entitled to and are instead selective about what they enforce; in this respect, they may excuse some transformative uses, but pursue derogatory uses. This is in part related to a strong desire for attribution, related to the identity a creator has with their work (and centrality of reputation).

Creators also point to progress as having community centric values which are also at odds with the exclusive control offered by copyright. Creators across different fields value sharing work widely in order that others may experience the work. In this sense, the author concludes that “progress is achieved when work and practice can continue and when its harvest can be enjoyed, used and repurposed within the community”.

Policy Implications as Stated By Author

Whilst the study does not offer any explicit policy recommendations, it does recommend that in the event of reform that lawmakers take into account the “public availability baseline… for broad access and use”, reflective of the tension between the availability of exclusive rights yet relative unweildiness of them.



Coverage of Study

Coverage of Fundamental Issues
Issue Included within Study
Relationship between protection (subject matter/term/scope) and supply/economic development/growth/welfare
Green-tick.png
Relationship between creative process and protection - what motivates creators (e.g. attribution; control; remuneration; time allocation)?
Harmony of interest assumption between authors and publishers (creators and producers/investors)
Effects of protection on industry structure (e.g. oligopolies; competition; economics of superstars; business models; technology adoption)
Understanding consumption/use (e.g. determinants of unlawful behaviour; user-generated content; social media)
Coverage of Evidence Based Policies
Issue Included within Study
Nature and Scope of exclusive rights (hyperlinking/browsing; reproduction right)
Green-tick.png
Exceptions (distinguish innovation and public policy purposes; open-ended/closed list; commercial/non-commercial distinction)
Mass digitisation/orphan works (non-use; extended collective licensing)
Licensing and Business models (collecting societies; meta data; exchanges/hubs; windowing; crossborder availability)
Fair remuneration (levies; copyright contracts)
Enforcement (quantifying infringement; criminal sanctions; intermediary liability; graduated response; litigation and court data; commercial/non-commercial distinction; education and awareness)

Datasets

Sample size: 50
Level of aggregation: Creators
Period of material under study: