However, as the convergence of computer and communications technology brings the capability of high speed computers and communications networks into our homes, we all have the possibility to become not only authors and users of copyrighted works, but printers, publishers, exhibitors and distributors as well. Most people do not have a very clear idea about the role of intellectual property law in encouraging creativity and the importance of intellectual property to our economic well-being. Between 1991 and 1993, while the entire U.S. economy grew at an annual rate of approximately 2.7 percent, the core copyright industries grew twice as fast, at the rate of 5.6 percent. Furthermore, the employment generated by these industries grew at four times the annual rate of the whole economy in the period between 1988 and 1993. Users must learn enough about this topic to appreciate just what respect for intellectual property laws can do for them, and why a seemingly harmless transaction on a computer network may have a great effect on the benefits they get from the intellectual property system.
Users are likely creators, too.
In that role they will benefit directly from being able to decide how and under what conditions other users will be able to use their works. It may be that a user will decide to dedicate his or her work to the community at large and not assert the rights that the law grants. Others may insist on strict enforcement of their rights and allow only specified access on limited terms and conditions. The point is that all users should understand the law sufficiently to know that they have all of these options available to them. Copyright is the body of law that lets such a system work.