Copyright Pays Off for American Workers: Inside the Chamber’s New Report

Jaci McDole
Senior Director, Copyright and Creativity, Global Innovation Policy Center, U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Published

June 27, 2025

Copyright supports good-paying American jobs and plays a critical role in America's economic vitality, a new report from the Chamber’s Global Innovation Policy Center (GIPC) shows. The report, "Unlocking Creativity: A Study of the Socioeconomic Benefits of Copyright," highlights the significant contributions of copyright-intensive industries to the U.S. economy and underscores the importance of robust copyright protections.

By the numbers:

21.14 million Americans—nearly 10% of the workforce—are employed in copyright-intensive or related industries.

Average wages in these industries are 50% higher than the national average.

These industries contributed $3.37 trillion—over 12% of GDP—to the U.S. economy.

At an event held at the Chamber on Tuesday, experts discussed the importance of copyright protections and their impact on the economy. Pete Mehravari, Director of Policy and Legal Affairs at the International Intellectual Property Alliance, emphasized the foundational role of copyright in the U.S. legal system. "Here in the U.S., we value creativity; we value creative works. And I think because we built it into our laws, into the Constitution, that creates that value in our creative industries here," Mehravari said.

Michael Smith, Professor of Information Technology and Public Policy at Carnegie Mellon University, highlighted the detrimental effects of digital piracy on investment in creative industries. "This is a very capital-intensive, very risky business, and if people know they can't recover that capital, they're going to invest less capital," Smith explained. His remarks underscore the need for strong copyright protections to ensure continued investment and innovation in sectors like film and music.

The Chamber's report further elaborates on the economic impact of copyright-intensive industries. It reveals that these industries not only support millions of jobs but also drive significant economic output and global competitiveness. The report states that the global creative economy is valued at $12 trillion, supporting over 50 million jobs worldwide. In 2023, the U.S. copyright sector's exports amounted to $272 billion, outpacing other major industries like agriculture, chemicals, and aerospace.

The Chamber’s report makes a compelling case for strong copyright protections, highlighting their role in fueling creativity, supporting high-quality jobs, and driving economic growth. As the Chamber continues its efforts to protect and support the creative ecosystem, it is clear that copyright pays off for American workers and the economy as a whole.