How to Swiftly Energize Growth through Copyright Protection

Creative content has the power to unite global citizens across borders. Look no further than the millions that gathered from Argentina to Australia to Japan to see Taylor Swift to witness how creativity brings people together worldwide. These creative efforts are enabled by copyright law, which is critical to the protection of creators’ works and their ability to continue to hone their craft and create the next greatest hit.

The background: The U.S. Chamber of Commerce recently discussed the importance of copyright protection to the creative community at the Global IP Alliance conference in Atlanta, GA. Highlighting the findings of our annual International IP Index, we shared how copyright protection enhances creativity, supports jobs, and drives economic growth in the United States and around the world.

The details: The framework for copyright protection and enforcement varies significantly across international markets. While the U.S., Singapore, and UK lead the way in the Index copyright findings, emerging markets are increasingly stepping up to promote creativity and combat copyright piracy through a variety of measures:

• Argentina and Brazil instituted dynamic injunctions to combat online piracy, joining the likes of a variety of economies worldwide, including India, Canada, and Singapore. Likewise, the Philippines is considering introducing injunctive relief that would include a dynamic element.
• Saudi Arabia and Egypt both continue to disable access to copyright infringing websites, building upon positive momentum in both economies to enhance copyright enforcement.
• In India, the government enacted new criminal sanctions for film piracy, including potential imprisonment of up to three years.

Why it matters: The Washington Post estimated Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour contributed $5.7 billion to economic growth in the U.S. alone in 2023. With a healthy IP ecosystem in place, creators everywhere can continue to enrich our lives while also supporting greater economic prosperity.

The Index demonstrates the many, tangible benefits countries can receive by taking steps to enhance copyright protection and enforcement. For example, economies with the strongest copyright ecosystems:

• Generate over five times more online and mobile content;
• Have almost double the access to new music through legitimate, secure platforms; and
• Generate more than twice as many video-on-demand and streaming services.

Copyright protection is vital as creators continue to connect global society through music, film, writings, and art. The Index provides a roadmap for how governments worldwide can enhance IP standards to secure a future where creativity can continue to thrive.

About the authors

Kelly Anderson

Kelly Anderson is the Executive Director of International Policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

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