网络游戏规则的著作权保护及其路径探微

On the Copyright Protection of Network Game Rules and Its Realization

在网络游戏自主开发中,游戏规则的创作设计凝聚了大量智力劳动,是游戏的核心构成元素,应当且已经受到著作权保护。以"思想/表达"二分法分析,游戏具体规则中的独创性表达落入了著作权保护范围。在我国著作权法框架之下,将游戏整体画面认定为类电影作品能够间接保护游戏规则,但仅为权宜之计。随着技术和产业发展,对游戏规则的直接保护甚至对游戏作品性质的重新审视将成为著作权法和司法实践不得不面对的问题。

In the independent development of network games, heavy intellectual labor is invested in creating the game rules, whereby constituting the core factor of a game. Game rules should be or have already been protected by Copyright Law. Based on “ idea-expression dichotomy5’, the original expression of game rules fall into the protection scope of the Copyright Law. Under China’s copyright legal framework, the frames of a game, if defined as audiovisual works, can get indirect protection, but there are still certain logical loopholes, and this path canft apply to all types of games. With the development of technology and industry, it is unavoidable for the Copyright Law and the judicial practice to consider granting direct protection to game rules, and reconsider the nature of game works.