Copyright’s Contribution to Rewarding Creators and the Digitalisation Paradox

Abstract Copyright is pivotal for creators and throughout the creative industries. Copyright is also often contentious and puzzling for stakeholders and researchers. This chapter surveys main aspects of the copyright system, reviews the corresponding interests of creators and other stakeholders (which concern finances but go well beyond them), and discusses the interface of copyright and digitalisation processes. It covers collective rights management, user-generated content, platforms and big data, generative artificial intelligence, as well as blockchain technology. Overall, the chapter identifies a paradoxical situation for creators. On the one hand, their success increasingly hinges on activating users for value co-creation. This usually requires some generosity, that is less emphasis on copyright enforcement and on immediate financial rewards. On the other hand, more robust protection of creator/rightsholder interests is necessary regarding commercial online platforms (that host or facilitate many of these creator-user interactions). Arguably, the current challenge for creators and copyright policy is becoming generous among online users and assertive regarding the platforms.