Copyright and Creativity: Authors and Photographers

Title: Copyright and Creativity: Authors and Photographers

Research Question: How has the concept of copyright and creativity evolved over time, particularly in relation to authors and photographers?

Methodology: The study examined historical documents, literature, and legal cases to track the evolution of copyright laws and the concept of creativity, focusing on authors and photographers as examples.

Results: The study found that the concept of the romantic author, associated with personal creative genius, gained prominence in the 18th century. In the U.S. in 1900, there were only about 3,000 self-professed authors, while there were ten times as many photographers. Over the 20th century, the number of writers and authors grew much more rapidly than the number of photographers. This suggests that the success of writers and authors in creating jobs did not depend on differences in copyright or self-production possibilities, but on greater occupational innovation.

Implications: The study suggests that creativity in organizing daily work is an important form of creativity. It also highlights the importance of occupational innovation in driving job growth and economic viability for creatives. The study's findings have implications for current discussions on copyright laws and the role of creativity in the economy.

Link to Article: https://arxiv.org/abs/0311054v1 Authors: arXiv ID: 0311054v1