搜索引擎“算法侵权”的归责路径探析

Analysis on the Attribution Path of Search Engine"Algorithm Infringement"

搜索引擎公司作为网络服务提供者,通常只具有在网络用户实施侵权行为时采取必要措施的义务,当不存在特定的第三方侵权主体时,难以对搜索引擎公司就其算法自然排名的搜索结果所造成的损害主张侵权责任。但结合有关案例和法律规范可知,搜索引擎公司对其算法产生的搜索结果不能仅以"技术中立性"为由采取消极放任的态度,其仍负有在接到权利人请求采取必要措施的通知后进行阻止、预防的注意义务,否则应当基于"过错责任"原则承担侵权责任,以实现权利人救济。而权利人向搜索引擎公司发出请求采取必要措施以预防、消除损害的有关通知,既可以基于其一般权利消极抵御的权能,也可以依据个人信息权中包含的积极权能进行主动请求。无论涉及何种权利,在"算法侵权"案件中为搜索引擎公司划定义务边界是利益平衡的关键。

As Internet service providers,search engine companies are usually only obliged to take necessary measures when Internet users commit infringement.When there is no specific third-party infringer,it is difficult to claim the tort liability of search engine companies for the damage caused by the search results naturally ranked by their algorithms.But in combination with relevant cases and legal norms,search engine companies shall not take a laissez-faire approach to the search results generated by their algorithms only on grounds of“technology neutrality”.They still have the obligation of taking necessary measures after receiving notification from the right holder requesting to prevent or eliminate the damage,otherwise they shall bear tort liability based on the principle of“fault liability”,in order to realize the relief of the right.And the right holder’s notifying search engine companies can be based on not only the function of its general rights to passively defend damage,but also the function of the right to protect personal information to make active requests.No matter what rights are involved,it is pivotal to define the boundary of the liability of search engine companies in the case of“algorithmic infringement”in order to balance the interests.