美国对于思想观念提供权的保护

一般说来 ,知识产权法不保护思想观念。然而 ,在某些特殊的情况下 ,某些思想观念的提供者又可以在特定的条件下享有获得报酬的权利。这就是思想观念提供权 ,或者创意提供权。根据美国的有关判例 ,受思想观念提供权保护的思想观念 ,必须具有对于使用者来说的新颖性和具体性。不具有新颖性和具体性的思想观念不能受到保护。同时 ,思想观念提供权仅仅存在于提供者与接收者之间的合同关系中 ,如明示合同、默示合同或法定合同。合同关系之外的第三人可以自由使用相关的思想观念 ,不受思想观念权的约束。到目前为止 ,中国知识产权法律中还没有思想观念提供权的概念。因而 ,本文对于美国思想观念提供权及其构成要件的探讨 ,将有助于中国读者在了解这种权利的基础上 ,构建有关思想观念提供权的保护制度。

Generally speaking, idea or ideas are not protected by intellectual property law. In some special situations, however, the idea or ideas submitted by some persons may be protected. This is the right of idea submission. In the United States, there is no federal law but only state case law dealing with idea submission. In light of the state cases, the idea or ideas submitted must have some kind of novelty to the idea user, and must be concrete to be used by the user. In addition to novelty and concreteness, the right of idea submission must exist in the contractual relationship between the provider and the user. Otherwise there is no right of idea submission. Novelty, concreteness, and contractual relationship are the three basic requirements for the establishment of the right of idea submission. Based on a great deal of state cases, this paper discusses the right of idea submission in the United States and the three basic requirements for the right of idea submission. Furthermore, with regard to the contractual relationship, the paper explores different contracts involved, such as expressed contract, implied contract, confidential relationship, and quasi contract. While the right of idea submission is not familiar to Chinese intellectual property circle, there is no doubt that this paper will help Chinese intellectual property experts to understand what is the right of idea submission in the United States and what are the basic requirements for the right of submission to exist.