开发数字电视机顶盒共享器的知识产权问题解析--兼谈数字电视业务的反垄断法规制

On Issues of Intellectual Property Rights Related to Digital Television’s Set-top Box ——Antitrust Law Regulations on Digital Television Service

数字电视机顶盒是保护视听节目内容与信号的一种版权技术措施,但"一机一盒"技术措施的合法性应受反垄断法的审查。开发节约资费型共享器可适用著作权保护的"个人使用"例外;开发独立选台型共享器及用于酒店等经营性场所的共享器将构成版权侵权。对机顶盒内部的半导体及程序进行反向工程的行为可能会侵犯机顶盒原始创新权利人的知识产权。以机顶盒业务为例,反垄断法的功能与价值在知识产权领域应受到重视。

Set-top box is a typical copyright technology to protect audio-visual program and transmission signal. However, the validity of the ＂one TV-set, one box＂ mode should be subject to antitrust law regulations. Some set-top box sharing devices may run risk of copyright infringement related to exception of ＂personal usage＂. Sharing devices of exclusive choice of programs and those used in hotels or other places for commercial purpose may also cause copyright infringement. The reverse engineering on the set-top box’s semiconductor and programs may infringe the intellectual property right towards the original innovator of the set-top box. The case of the set-top box service has revealed the function and value of the antitrust law in intellectual property area.