Today, the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) and the European Patent Office (EPO) jointly published the third edition of their “Intellectual property rights intensive industries (IPR) and economic performance in the European Union” study. Creativity Works! is pleased to see the study recognises the tremendous economic value that Europe’s IPR intensive industries, including copyright-intensive industries, bring to Europe – as creators, producers, innovators and, ultimately, employers.

This study shines a light on the leading role which IPR-intensive industries play in driving the European economy and contributing to Europe’s job growth. Looking at the evolution of employment between 2011-2013 and 2014-2016, the EUIPO found that IPR-intensive industries created 1.3 million new jobs, at a time when overall employment fell by 0,1%. More specifically, copyright-intensive industries account for 6.9% of the EU’s GDP

The EUIPO/EPO study stresses the sector’s role in boosting employment across the continent, even at a time when overall EU employment levels were receding slightly. Copyright-intensive industries account for 7.1% of EU jobs: more than 15 million direct and indirect jobs are generated by them.

Creativity Works! welcomes this joint report, which signals once again that IPR-intensive industries are Europe’s most effective global ambassadors. Copyright-intensive industries create a yearly trade surplus of € 92 billion, making them a thriving sector for exports.

This demonstrates the dynamism of the cultural and creative industries and their crucial role in the European economy around a strong IPR framework. As European institutions enter a new mandate, Creativity Works! is keen to continue its open dialogue with EU policymakers to ensure a supportive and favourable EU framework for the valuable activities of copyright-intensive industries.

About Creativity Works!

Creativity Works! is a European coalition of the cultural and creative sectors. Our coalition represents writers, screenwriters, video game producers & developers, broadcasters, book publishers and retailers, cinema operators, sports organisers, picture agencies, music and film/TV producers, publishers and distributors. Its objective is to foster an open and informed dialogue with EU policy-makers about the economic and cultural contribution made by creators and the cultural and creative sectors in the digital age. Members are brought together by a sincere belief in creativity, creative content, cultural diversity and freedom of expression.