The University as Constructed Cultural Commons

Abstract

This paper examines commons as socially constructed environments built via and alongside intellectual property rights systems. We sketch a theoretical framework for examining cultural commons across a broad variety of institutional and disciplinary contexts, and we apply that framework to the university and associated practices and institutions.

Keywords: commons, common pools, governance, public goods, information, knowledge, intellectual property, patent pools, university

JEL Classification: D23, H41, K11, L22, L23, O31, O32, O33, O34