“Copyright protections are not just legal safeguards—they are the foundation of our creative ecosystem and a critical driver of our economic and cultural leadership," notes the Chamber's new report, Unlocking Creativity: A Study of the Socioeconomic Benefits of Copyright.
In a world increasingly driven by ideas, innovation, and digital transformation, copyright stands as a cornerstone of economic vitality and cultural expression. This report is a comprehensive literature review that explores the powerful role copyright plays in fueling creativity, supporting high-quality jobs, and driving global competitiveness through creative sectors.
Why This Report Matters
Unlocking Creativity synthesizes decades of global research and economic data to:
- Quantify the economic contributions of copyright-reliant and related industries;
- Examine how copyright protections influence innovation, job creation, and cultural exchange;
- Analyze the consequences of weak copyright enforcement, including the impact of digital piracy; and
- Offer a conceptual framework for understanding how copyright drives creative output and economic growth.
Copyright is more than a legal tool—it’s a catalyst for creativity and a driver of prosperity. From software and architecture to music, film, and publishing, copyright-intensive industries are at the heart of the global knowledge economy. This report makes a compelling case for strong copyright protections and enforcement to ensure continued innovation, cultural richness, and economic resilience.
Key Highlights
- $3.37 trillion: Contribution of total copyright industries to the U.S. GDP in 2023, over 12% of the economy.
- 21.14 million jobs: 9.91% of the U.S. workforce is employed in copyright-intensive or related industries, with average wages 50% higher than the national average.
- Global creative economy: Valued at $12 trillion, supporting over 50 million jobs worldwide.
- $272 billion: U.S. copyright sector exports in 2023, outpacing agriculture, chemicals, and aerospace.
- $29 to $71 billion: Estimated annual cost of digital piracy to the U.S. economy, along with up to 560,000 jobs lost.
- Piracy’s impact: Digital piracy correlates with a decrease in the quality, production, and creative risks taken in developing creative content.
Learn More
Explore the full report to understand how copyright powers the creative economy—and why it is essential for the future of innovation, culture, and economic growth.
Download the report from this page.
