Abstract
Whereas in earlier times copyright was a clear-cut concept both for creators and users of original works of art, today both parties seem to be tangled in the web of modern copyright regulation. Copyright is generally seen as a complex, technological matter in which only lawyers can find their way these days. The challenge for legislators is to protect the cornerstones of copyright law (culture, cultural diversity, mutual respect, freedom of expression, etcetera), while taking into account the technological and sociological developments.
Evi Werkers works as legal researcher at the Interdisciplinary Centre for Law and ICT (ICRI – KULeuven, IBBT), where she specializes in copyright and media law and is currently writing a Phd in this field. For more information please visit: http://www.law.kuleuven.be/icri/peope.phd?id=100
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Notes
- 1.
For an analysis on fan fiction see for example Schwabach (2009).
- 2.
Pres. Court Brussels 13 February 2007.
- 3.
European Court of Justice 19 July 2009, Infopaq International A/S vs. Danske Dagblades Forening, http://curia.europa.eu
- 4.
In many countries like Belgium, authors are granted certain moral rights which are usually divided into three categories: divulgation, paternity and integrity.
- 5.
Directive 2001/29/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 May 2001 on the harmonisation of certain aspects of copyright and related rights in the information society, O.J. L. 22.06.2001, 10.
- 6.
Article 2 Copyright Directive 2001/29/EC.
- 7.
Article 3 Copyright Directive 2001/29/EC.
- 8.
Article 6 Copyright Directive 2001/29/EC.
- 9.
Directive 2004/48/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 on the enforcement of intellectual property rights, O.J. L. 195, 02.06.2004, 16 (Enforcement Directive).
- 10.
Proposal for a European Parliament and Council Directive amending Directive 2006/116/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the term of protection of copyright and related rights, COM(2008)464/3. The proposal is currently still under debate at European Union level.
- 11.
Commission Staff Working Document accompanying the Proposal for a Council Directive amending Council Directive 2006/116/EC as regards the term of protection of copyright and related rights. Impact assessment on the legal and economic situation of performers and record producers in the European Union, (COM)(2008) 464 final http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/copyright/term-protection/term-protection_en.htm
- 12.
Guibault and Hugenholtz (2006), and following.
- 13.
- 14.
Also known as the international “three-steps-test”.
- 15.
Article 5 Copyright Directive 2001/29/EC.
- 16.
Article 5.1. Copyright Directive 2001/29/EC.
- 17.
Article 6.4. Copyright Directive 2001/29/EC.
- 18.
For a profound analysis of the chilling effect on creativity see for example Arewa (2007).
- 19.
For an overview see http://ec.europa.eu/avpolicy/other_actions/content_online/index_en.htm
- 20.
Green Paper copyright in the knowledge economy, COM(2008)466/3
- 21.
Public Consultation 2009–2010, Creative Content in a European digital single market: Challenges for the future. Contributions can be found via the following link: http://ec.europa.eu/avpolicy/other_actions/content_online/consultation_2009/index_en.htm
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Werkers, E. (2012). Copyright: A Curse or a Blessing?. In: Vanderbeeken, R., Le Roy, F., Stalpaert, C., Aerts, D. (eds) Drunk on Capitalism. An Interdisciplinary Reflection on Market Economy, Art and Science. Einstein Meets Magritte: An Interdisciplinary Reflection on Science, Nature, Art, Human Action and Society, vol 11. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-2082-4_7
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