Oxford University Press has published a new book, by ICCE’s Dr. Nicola Searle. Creating Economy, written with Professor Barbara Townely and Dr. Philip Roscoe of the University of St Andrews, is now available for sale.
Nicola Searle, joint-author of Creating Economy
Investigating the relationship of creators and their works, the book details the dialectic between Intellectual Property (IP) and Intellectual Property Rights (IPR.) As creators becoming more economically aware agents, they must navigate the symbolic and economic value on which the creative industries depend. Over eight chapters, the book takes the reader through the creator’s journey moving from IP and IPR as a market object and economic agency, through the uncertainty of the creative industries and finally focusing on constructing, realizing and protecting value.
The book asks the crucial question, ‘what is economic about creativity?’ IP and IPR help creators manage uncertainty and risk, settle what is valuable, extract revenues and protect future profits. IP is a key mechanism in organising the market for creative goods. Whether it be copyright, design rights or trade marks, IP provides legal structure to value in the creative industries.
Based on an empirical study of 122 interviews across the creative industries, the book looks at the perspectives of designers, producers, artists, writers, performers and musicians. The voices of these creators provide real-life perspectives of the realities of the creative industries. From the grey areas of IP in fashion and dance, to the tension between moral and legal rights, the book explores how creators view their works and how IP shapes their experiences.
This examination is particularly relevant, as many of the creators interviewed have experienced personally the transformation of their sector brought about by the digital age. For example, an interviewee in television notes how the demands of purchasers of TV IP rights have changed: “Once upon a time it used to be TV rights. Now they want video on demand, online, DVD. You could say, ‘That is the only territory’ [e.g. UK, or the Americas], but now they just want worldwide rights. They want this, they want that.”
Nicola Searle, joint-author, Creating Economy
The book makes an important, empirically grounded contribution to debates around creativity, entrepreneurship, and uncertainty in creative industries, and will be of interest to scholars and policymakers alike.
Townley, B., Roscue, P., & Searle, N. (2019). Creating economy: Enterprise, intellectual property, and the valuation of goods. Oxford: Oxford University Press is available hardbound and as an e-Book.