The author examines some basic definitions related to the so-called creative knowledge sector, comprising creative industries and knowledge-intensive industries. The article focuses on the role of the culture sector in the economy and looks at some key problems related to research on the creative knowledge sector. The article offers a theoretical framework for such research based on a study of available literature. The creative knowledge sector consists of industries based on intellectual property resulting from science and culture, the author says. The sector is roughly divided into two components: creative industries (such as publishing, architecture, radio, television, advertising, design, crafts, photography, film, music, computer and video games/software) and knowledge-intensive industries. Creative industries include culture industries such as museums, galleries, libraries, literature, and visual arts. According to Namyślak, culture industries play a growing role in the economy and may have an impact on the development of cities and regions through an improved use of human capital, creation of new jobs, and the development of complementary sectors such as tourism and recreation. Culture industries also play a role in stimulating the redevelopment of postindustrial areas and can help raise the profile of a city or region, the author says. The article highlights some key problems related to the development of creative industries, including high business risk and a lack of trust among investors, in addition to a widespread view that these industries are not productive enough. Research in the area is marred by a lack of methodology for evaluating creative industries, the author concludes.