Norms-based intellectual property systems : the case of French Chefs

Emmanuelle Fauchart

Eric von Hippel
MIT

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     Last modified: June 13, 2006

Abstract
In this paper we propose that “norms-based” intellectual property systems exist and are an important complement to or substitute for law-based intellectual property systems. Norms-based IP systems operate on social norms that are held in common by members of a given community and specify the nature and extent of rights that a group member can assert to intellectual property. They also include procedures for the claiming of intellectual property rights, and community-accepted types of sanctions for violators. We document the existence of a norms-based IP system among a sample of accomplished French chefs.