Reports

Discussion Papers

No.848 How Does Additive Manufacturing Change Trade?: Evidence from Trade in Sound Recordings

by Kazunobu Hayakawa, Hiroshi Mukunoki

March 2022

ABSTRACT

Additive manufacturing (AM), known as three-dimensional printing, has the potential to drastically change the mode of production and trade in goods. However, it is challenging to investigate the effects of AM on trade because existing AM production patterns are still immature. To get a clue on the impacts of AM, this study investigates the effects of internet distribution on trade in sound recordings, which has changed after the emergence of online shops or streaming services. Specifically, we estimate the gravity equation in the bilateral trade in sound recordings among 197 countries in 2003–2017 and examine the interaction term of internet diffusion rates between exporting and importing countries. Results show that internet penetration significantly decreases trade in sound recordings. Furthermore, the strong protection of intellectual property rights in importing countries weakens the trade-reducing effect, whereas that in exporting countries magnifies such effect.

Keywords: Music, International trade, Additive manufacturing

JEL classification: F15, F53

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