Did the lack of copyright laws propel Germany's rapid 19th century industrialization?
http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,druck-710976,00.html
As far as early US experience is concerned, here is an interesting piece by historian Stephen Mihm:
http://www.boston.com/news/globe/ideas/articles/2007/08/26/a_nation_of_outlaws?mode=PF