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In the Beginning Was the Word. Now is the Copyright

Author

Listed:
  • Marchese Carla

    (Public Policy and Public Choice - POLIS, Università del Piemonte Orientale)

  • Ramello Giovanni B.

    (Public Policy and Public Choice - POLIS, Università del Piemonte Orientale)

Abstract

Since 2005, all of the teachings of the Roman Catholic Pope have been copyrighted. Given that it is a tenet of the church to spread the faith and teach all people, this would seem at odds with any restrictions on access. Yet the Catholic Church is by no means an exception, and other religions have likewise resorted to copyright. This paper presents a simple model to attempt to rationalize the exercise of copyright by a religious organization. The analysis also provides more general insights concerning the workings of copyright, which appears to function more like a right to levy a tax than like a right to set a monopoly price, as currently believed.

Suggested Citation

  • Marchese Carla & Ramello Giovanni B., 2011. "In the Beginning Was the Word. Now is the Copyright," Review of Law & Economics, De Gruyter, vol. 7(1), pages 271-289, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:bpj:rlecon:v:7:y:2011:i:1:n:12
    DOI: 10.2202/1555-5879.1505
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    Citations

    Blog mentions

    As found by EconAcademics.org, the blog aggregator for Economics research:
    1. Further evidence on the profit motive of churches
      by Economic Logician in Economic Logic on 2010-04-06 19:39:00
    2. The Church’s Profit Motive
      by Ariel Goldring in Free Market Mojo on 2010-04-11 12:12:26
    3. Evidence on the profit motive of churches
      by Miguel in Simoleon Sense on 2010-04-07 03:56:31

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    2. Marchese Carla & Ramello Giovanni B., 2011. "In the Beginning Was the Word. Now is the Copyright," Review of Law & Economics, De Gruyter, vol. 7(1), pages 271-289, October.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D23 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Organizational Behavior; Transaction Costs; Property Rights
    • D43 - Microeconomics - - Market Structure, Pricing, and Design - - - Oligopoly and Other Forms of Market Imperfection
    • D45 - Microeconomics - - Market Structure, Pricing, and Design - - - Rationing; Licensing

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