Business Models and Copyright Reform: The Legal Business Model

Abstract

Examining the role of business models and copyright in the digital media industry against the backdrop of technological change, this paper identifies a shadow concept of business models in copyright debates: the legal business model. A critical analysis of over 300 publications by the UK digital media industry trade and related organizations identifies that business model innovation and copyright reform is resisted by the industry. The existing copyright system, or a strengthened version of it, is framed as crucial to supporting existing business models. Paradoxically, the industry’s definitions of business models minimize the role of copyright. The paper develops the concept of the legal view of business models; business models viewed through the lens of copyright do not match copyright viewed through the lens of business models.

Keywords: Business models, copyright policy, digital media, digital economy

JEL Classification: Z11, O34, K20