Copyright-Based Industries in Arab Countries

Harabi, Najib (2004): Copyright-Based Industries in Arab Countries.

Abstract

The paper describes and explains empirically the economic performance of four key copyright-based industries (the book publishing, music sound recording, film production and software industries) in five Arab countries (Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon). Using the Porter (Diamond) model as its theoretical background, a survey was conducted in the years 2002-03 among 242 experts, covering firm representatives, industry and government experts. The results were incorporated into five national case studies. This paper synthesizes the results of those national reports, giving a comparative account of the performance of the four copyright-based industries in these Arab countries. The overall results of the study suggest that copyright-based industries in Arab countries are substantially underdeveloped, and there remains a great potential that should systematically be mobilized. A discussion of how this can be achieved is offered, based upon a well-designed and implemented process of upgrading and innovation in companies, industries and clusters related to copyright-based activities. Public policy can play in this process an important role.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Institution: University of Applied Sciences, Northwestern Switzerland
• Language: English
• Keywords: Copyright-based industry; cultural industry; creative industry; Arab countries Copyright-based industry; cultural industry; creative industry; Arab countries Copyright-based industry; cultural industry; creative industry; Arab countries; Morocco; Tunisia; Egypt; Lebanon
• Subjects: Z - Other Special Topics > Z1 - Cultural Economics ; Economic Sociology ; Economic Anthropology > Z11 - Economics of the Arts and Literature; L - Industrial Organization > L6 - Industry Studies: Manufacturing; L - Industrial Organization > L1 - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance

References

National Case Studies:

al Khouri, R. (2004), Performance of Copyright Industries in Jordan; paper prepared for the WIPO Project on “Performance of Copyright Industries in Selected Arab Countries”. Geneva: WIPO.

Ghoneim, A.F. (2004), Performance of Copyright Industries in Egypt; paper prepared for the WIPO Project on “Performance of Copyright Industries in Selected Arab Countries”. Geneva: WIPO.

Lahouel, M.L (2004), Performance of Copyright Industries in Tunisia; paper prepared for the WIPO Project on “Performance of Copyright Industries in Selected Arab Countries”. Geneva: WIPO.

Melki, R. (2004): Performance of Copyright Industries in Lebanon. paper prepared for the WIPO Project on “Performance of Copyright Industries in Selected Arab Countries. Geneva: WIPO.

Sekkat, K. and L.Achy (2004), Performance of Copyright Industries in Morocco; paper prepared for the WIPO Project on “Performance of Copyright Industries in Selected Arab Countries”. Geneva: WIPO.

Other References:

Alikhan, S. (2001), “The Copyright Industries and Their Contribution to Economic Growth,” paper presented at the WIPO/ISESCO Conference on Intellectual Property organized by WIPO and ISESCO, Baku, May 21-23, 2001.

Bain, T (1956), Barriers to New Competition. Cambridge MA: Harvard University Press.

Bertrand, M., S. Mullainathan (2001), “Do People Mean What They Say? Implications for Subjective Survey Data”, American Economic Review: Papers and Proceedings 91(2): 67-72.

Besanko, D., et al. (1996), Economics of Strategy, John Wiley & Sons. Caves, E. R. (2000), Creative Industries: Contracts Between Art and Commerce. Cambridge MA: Harvard University Press.

Frey, B. S. (2000), Arts and Economics: Analysis and Cultural Policy. Berlin: Springer. Kaplinsky, R., Morris, M. (2003), A Handbook for Value Chain Research. Ottawa: International Development Research Center (IDRC).

Miller, J., Stroobergen, A. (1993), Employment in Copyright Based Industries. Council of New Zealand Inc/BERL, Willengton, March 1993.

Porter, M. E. (1990), The Competitive Advantage of Nations. New York: Free Press.

Silberston, A. (1998), The Economic Importance of Copyright, in: Creativity & Intellectual Property Rights: Evolving Scenarios and Perspectives. Proceedings of an International Conference, Vienna, Austria, July 12-14, 1998.

Siwek, S. E. (2002), Copyright Industries in the U.S. Economy: The 2002 Report, prepared for the International Intellectual Property Alliance, Economists incorporated.

Siwek, S. E., Mosteller, G. (1999), Copyright Industries in the U.S. Economy: The 1998 Report, prepared for the International Intellectual Property Alliance.

Towse, R. (2001), Creativity, Incentive and Reward: An Economic Analysis of Copyright and Culture in the Information Age. Cheltenham, U.K., and Northampton, Mass.: Elgar.

World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and State University of Campinas (2002), Study on The Economic Importance of Industries and Activities Protected by Copyright and Related Rights in the MERCOSUR Countries and Chile: Highlights. Geneva: WIPO.

World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) (2003), Guide on Surveying the Economic Contribution of the Copyright-Based Industries. Geneva: WIPO