短视频的独创性与著作权法保护的路径

The Originality of Short Videos and the Relevant Copyright Law Protection

短视频保护中需要明确的首要问题是短视频的独创性。独创性的高低与有无以及短视频制作者的主体身份,决定了短视频将会受到何种保护。虽然短视频的选择空间小、时间短,但它依旧可能具有独创性,以视听作品的身份获得狭义上著作权的保护。基于短视频传播的特性和我国对音像制品制作实行严格管理的现状,理论上成立的音像制作者权根本不会出现在短视频的制作和传播的商业实践中。对于无法达到一定"创作高度"、不符合视听作品之独创性要求的短视频,只要其中包含了人的表演,可以通过表演者权主张获得著作权法上的救济。对于那些不具备独创性同时也不包含人的表演的短视频,著作权法不能提供任何保护。以狭义的著作权和表演者权为基础,短视频的权利人可以在现行法的框架下获得充分保护,无需对制度作出任何修改。

The primary problem that needs to be clarified in the protection of short videos is originality. The existence and quality of originality as well as the status of producers jointly determine what kind of protection short videos may receive. Although short videos are often of limited time and scope, which may still be original and can obtain copyright protection as audio-visual works. Given the characteristics of short videos transmission and the strict management in producing audio visual works, the theoretically established right of audio-visual producers may not be applied in commercial short videos practices. For short videos which cannot meet the requirement of originality, if they contain performance by human beings, performers can obtain relief from the Copyright Law by claiming performers’ rights. The Copyright Law does not provide any protection for short videos that are neither original nor contain human performances. Based on copyright in a narrow sense and performer’s right, right holders of short videos can be fully protected under the current legal framework. There is no need to make changes to the current legal system.