The eureka myth: creators, innovators, and everyday intellectual property

In 1789, the Constitution enshrined protections for authors and inventors. Yet we still debate the merits of intellectual property laws and whether they work as intended. What facilitates innovation and creativity in our digital age? What role does IP play in promoting innovation and creativity in the United States? Silbey cuts through the current debates and goes straight to the source: the artists and innovators themselves. By centering on accounts of creative and innovative work provided by artists, scientists, their employers, managers, and lawyers, The Eureka Myth breaks new ground. In doing so, it draws out new and surprising conclusions about the sometimes misinterpreted relationships between creativity, innovation, and IP.