网络图片可视性水印的版权问题探析——兼论网络图片可视性水印的证明效力

On the Copyright and Probative Effect of Network Image Visible Watermark

图片类作品中的色彩、线条、画面、布局经由作者选择和安排,最终在整体上呈现特定的视觉效果,而可视性水印能直接为受众的视觉所感知,因此添加在网络图片上的可视性水印,可构成权利管理电子信息,或者成为作者署名的一种方式,还可能属于图片类作品的组成部分。此外,署名是一种客观行为,我国《著作权法》仅赋予作者署名权,因此只有作者才可以在该类作品上直接添加姓名或者名称。但是,基于该类作品的传播特征,其他著作权人以及可以授权第三人使用作品的被许可人,应可以添加表明其权利人身份的可视性水印。同时,著作权人还享有保护作品完整权,因此除享有该权利的主体外,其他主体不得任意在图片类作品上添加其它内容的可视性水印。

Color,line,content and layout are chosen and arranged by the author of network pictures and express specific visual effects.When visible watermarks which can be visually perceived by the viewer are added to network pictures,they can constitute a right management of electronic information,a form of authorship,or a component of the pictures.In addition,copyright law of China grants authorship to only authors,excluding other subjects to add names or titles on the work directly.Nevertheless,based on the characteristic of network images,other copyright owners as well as licensees who can authorize the third parties are able to add visual watermarks to indicate the identity of copyright owners.Meanwhile,as copyright owners are entitled to protect the integrity of works,other subjects adding visible watermark on network pictures is an infringement of copyright.