A Primer on Intellectual Property and Popular Culture Research

Abstract

A large number of intellectual property (IP) law cases have centred around works of popular culture. Traditionally, IP scholars have focused only on technical legal analysis, neglecting research on the aesthetic and cultural value of such works, or the experiences of creators. However, a growing body of interdisciplinary scholarship has changed this trend. This chapter highlights examples of such interdisciplinary scholarship, focusing on scholarship incorporating approaches from the humanities and empirical social sciences. The chapter discusses the methodologies and perspectives used in such works, and how they can complement traditional legal analysis.