Truce in the Copyright War? The Pros and Cons of Copyright Compensation Systems for Digital Use

34 Pages Posted: 6 Jan 2019

See all articles by Christian W. Handke

Christian W. Handke

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR)

João Pedro Quintais

University of Amsterdam - Institute for Information Law (IViR)

Balázs Bodó

University of Amsterdam - Institute for Information Law (IViR)

Date Written: December 31, 2018

Abstract

This paper discusses copyright compensation systems (CCS) -- that provide licenses for downloading and non-commercial use of copyright works in return for a fee -- in the light of welfare economics and transaction cost economics. Recent empirical studies suggest that CCS could improve social welfare at least for recorded music. The general theme of the theoretical discussion in this paper is a simplicity-flexibility trade-off. On the one hand, CCS seek to reduce the costs of administering and trading copyrights online. On the other hand, standard copyright licenses distort the market mechanism. This paper discusses the costs and benefits of various CCS proposals compared to alternative ways of managing copyright online.

Suggested Citation

Handke, Christian W. and Quintais, João Pedro and Bodó, Balázs, Truce in the Copyright War? The Pros and Cons of Copyright Compensation Systems for Digital Use (December 31, 2018). Review of Economic Research on Copyright Issues, 2018, 15(2), 23-56, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3311019

Christian W. Handke (Contact Author)

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR)

Burgemeester Oudlaan 50
3000 DR Rotterdam, Zuid-Holland 3062PA
Netherlands

João Pedro Quintais

University of Amsterdam - Institute for Information Law (IViR) ( email )

Rokin 84
Amsterdam, 1012 KX
Netherlands

HOME PAGE: http://https://www.ivir.nl/nl/medewerker/quintais/

Balázs Bodó

University of Amsterdam - Institute for Information Law (IViR) ( email )

Rokin 84
Amsterdam, 1012 KX
Netherlands

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