New Research Center to Investigate Copyrights in a Digital World

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Wed, 02/13/2013 - 19:00 -- Nick Dager

A new center dedicated to examining the changing nature of copyright and the need for new business models in the digital age has been launched at the University of Glasgow. The Center for Creativity Regulation Enterprise and Technology (CREATe) brings together internationally renowned researchers from seven UK universities who will work to address the challenges an increasingly digital world presents to government business and content creators. Over the next four years 40 CREATe projects focused on the intersections between culture the economy and technology will offer policymakers invaluable analyses for developing new regulatory frameworks. The research will also play into debate about the growth of new and emerging services.  CREATe’s projects are led by experts in law business economics technology psychology and cultural analysis and are funded by a £5m investment from UK research councils. Over the funding period the University of Glasgow is committing a further £1.7m to research posts and PhDs in the Colleges of Arts and Social Sciences to establish CREATe as an international center of research excellence. CREATe director professor Martin Kretschmer said “The vast expansion of access to digital technology in recent years has created tremendous opportunities for the UK creative sector which generates around £60bn each year or six percent of the UK economy. As the sector increasingly moves towards digital content copyright issues are becoming more important than ever. Studies have shown that between 60 percent and 70 percent of young people illegally download music movies or TV shows but often those who download most are also the best customers. Producers are being forced to rethink their ways of doing business. As a professor at the University of Glasgow’s School of Law I’m very proud that CREATe will be based here and that our funders have made such a significant investment in a project of real importance.” Professor Rick Rylance chief executive of the AHRC said “The creative economy is of the greatest importance to the economic health and the cultural life of our country. We are in the midst of the profound transformations brought about by the digital revolution. Understanding these changes and the challenges and opportunities they present is crucial to our future in law regulation business the cultural sphere and other areas. This is why the foundation of CREATe is so important and why it is equally important that it brings together the different research councils and other agencies to support its work. We have high hopes of its great success.”