从写者到作者——对著作权制度的一种功能主义解释

From Writer to Author——A Functional Interpretation of Copyright System

著作权制度是诸多支持文学作品创作的机制之一。著作权制度的产生得益于18世纪的政治语境,也从宗教改革的运动中获得支持。著作权制度之于写作的人而言,促进了作者的自主。经由确认灵感、原创性、天才等概念与书写者的联系,作者们得以与抄写员分开。同样是在这个过程中,著作权获得了合法性的认知。这个发掘独创性、原创性等概念的过程是知识传播的结果,后者促进了读书市场的扩大。最终,作者可以依靠笔与纸而生活。

Copyright system is just one of the mechanisms for encouraging creation. It is not the sole mechanism for this purpose. The produce of the said system profited from both the political context of 18th century and the Reformation of 16th century. As to the writer of a work, this mechanism promotes the independence of the author. It is the concepts such as inspiration, originality, and genius that distinguish an author from a copier and justify the cognition of copyright. The process of developing the said concepts resulted from the spread of knowledge which promoted the expansion of the reading market, making it possible for an author to make a living by his paper and pen.