思想/表达二分法在游戏规则“换皮”问题中的适用

Application of Dichotomy Between Idea and Expression in the Issue of“Skin-changing” in Game Rules

游戏规则“换皮”现象在当前的游戏圈十分常见。作为游戏整体画面的重要内容,游戏规则中的独创性表达可以纳入到视听作品的保护范围。思想/表达二分法是明确某一游戏规则能否受到著作权法保护的依据和方法。现阶段,司法实践适用思想/表达二分法的裁判思路尚未统一,主观化思维致使游戏规则的保护范围日趋僵化。在适用思想/表达二分法于此类案件时,建议基于“玩家思维”,对游戏规则的内容进行层次化梳理,并按照由局部到整体的判断思路,对其中的叙事性表达予以保护。

“Skin-changing”in game rules is very common in the current game circle.As an important constituent element for overall picture of online games,the original expressions in the game rules can be protected by audiovisual works.The idea-expression dichotomy can be used to clarify whether the rules of the game can be protected by the copyright law.At this stage,judicial practice has not unified the methods of trial in applying the dichotomy.Increasingly,the scope of protection of the game rules is becoming rigid by subjective thinking.It is suggested that judges sort out the content of the game rules based on a kind of“player-thinking”,and protect the narrative expressions in them according to the judgement from the part to the whole.