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Copyright and Originality: Evidence from Short Video Creation in a Platform Market

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 March 2025

Ke Rong Open the ORCID record for Ke Rong [Opens in a new window] ,
Jinglei Huang ,
Fei Hao Open the ORCID record for Fei Hao [Opens in a new window] ,
Danxia Xie  and
Sali Li
Ke Rong
Affiliation:
Tsinghua University, China
Jinglei Huang
Affiliation:
Tsinghua University, China
Fei Hao*
Affiliation:
University of International Business and Economics (UIBE), China
Danxia Xie
Affiliation:
Tsinghua University, China
Sali Li
Affiliation:
University of South Carolina, USA
*
Corresponding author: Fei Hao (15527279871@163.com)
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Abstract

In the digital era, short videos have become a significant form of digital copyright, yet the debate over whether stronger copyright protection enhances their creation continues. To contribute to this discourse, we conducted an analysis based on a representative sample of short videos on a prominent Chinese short video platform, Douyin. Capitalizing on an external regulatory intervention, specifically the Campaign against Online Infringement and Piracy (COIP) implemented by the Chinese government, we employed the difference-in-differences (DID) method to assess the impact of reinforced copyright protection on the originality of short videos. Our findings reveal that strengthened copyright protection leads to a significant increase in the originality of short videos. Further research on creator heterogeneity shows that influencers exhibit a significantly more positive response to strengthened copyright protection than amateur creators. Finally, we present evidence explaining how external regulation works by enhancing intra-platform regulation. These results have rich implications for intellectual property protection, digital innovation management, and platform regulation.

摘要

摘要

在数字时代，短视频已成为数字内容的一种重要形式，但关于加强版权保护是否会促进短视频创作的争论仍在继续。为了解决这一争论，本文利用中国知名短视频平台抖音上的代表性短视频样本进行了分析。借助中国打击网络侵权和盗版专项行动（COIP），本研究采用双重差分法评估了加强版权保护对短视频原创性的影响。研究发现，加强版权保护会显著提高短视频的原创程度。而且异质性研究表明，与业余创作者相比，网红对加强版权保护的反应更明显。最后，本研究发现，外部监管可以通过加强平台内部监管发挥作用。本研究对知识产权保护、数字创新管理和平台监管具有重要的启示。

Keywords

digital copyrightintellectual property rightsoriginalityplatform regulationshort videos数字版权知识产权原创性平台监管短视频

Information

Type
Article
Information
Management and Organization Review , Volume 21 , Issue 1 , February 2025 , pp. 50 - 72
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of International Association for Chinese Management Research

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