Considering the Risk Dimension in the Administration of Copyright

Abstract:     
In the law and economics literature of copyright, the economic function of collecting societies has been principally treated as a way to diminish transaction costs. However, another possible function, the transfer of risk as a function of collective administration has been, relatively, ignored. Through risk analysis, an author will be able to determine which method of administration of protected rights is most beneficial to him. Due to information asymmetries, authors and users bear a number of risks. These risks can be transferred to a collecting society which is in a better position to bear them more efficiently and to better administer the protected rights.

Number of Pages in PDF File: 13

Keywords: collective administration of copyright, risk

JEL Classification: D8, K

Accepted Paper Series