CCIA Releases Economic Study Calculating Value of 'Fair Use'

WASHINGTON, April 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Industries that rely on fair use exceptions to copyright law grew faster than the rest of the U.S. economy from 2002 to 2007. Fair use industries expanded 5 percent and accounted for 23 percent of real economic growth, according to a new economic study. The Computer & Communications Industry Association released its 2010 economic study "Fair Use in the U.S. Economy" on Capitol Hill today.

CCIA commissioned the study conducted using publicly available government data and World Intellectual Property Organization methodology. It found companies benefiting from limitations on copyright-holders' exclusive rights, such as "fair use" – generated revenue of $4.7 trillion in 2007 – a 36 percent increase over 2002 revenue of $3.4 trillion. The most significant growth over this period was in Internet publishing and broadcasting, web search portals, electronic shopping, electronic auctions and other financial investment activity.

"In a knowledge-based economy, having numbers that show why fair use matters is critical as legislation is made and trade agreements are negotiated," said Ed Black, CCIA President & CEO. "Much of the unprecedented growth of the tech and communications industry can be credited to the fair use doctrine. This cornerstone that fosters creativity and innovation must be protected." As for jobs, employment in fair use industries grew from 16.9 million in 2002 to 17.5 million in 2007. One out of eight U.S. workers is employed by a company that benefits from protections provided by fair use, and industries relying on fair use and other copyright exceptions make up one-sixth of the U.S. economy, according to the report. The report updates a comprehensive 2007 study that shows the importance of fair use.

"These numbers could help those weighing the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement understand that ACTA is not a trade agreement, but an antitrade agreement for U.S. industry," Black said. "This study further underscores why trying to persuade other nations to replicate only part of our copyright system in an unbalanced way will wind up boomeranging on the most dynamic, creative and innovative sectors of our economy, " Black said.

Link to study: "Fair Use in the U.S. Economy"

http://www.ccianet.org/CCIA/files/ccLibraryFiles/Filename/000000000354/fair-use-study-final.pdf

About CCIA:

CCIA is an international, nonprofit association of computer and communications industry firms, representing a broad cross section of the industry. CCIA is dedicated to preserving full, fair and open competition throughout our industry. Our members employ more than 600,000 workers and generate annual revenues in excess of $200 billion.

SOURCE Computer & Communications Industry Association