论数字网络空间中发行权用尽原则的突破与适用——兼评我国NFT作品侵权第一案

The Legal Breakthrough and Application of the Exhaustion Doctrine in Cyberspace——Comment on the first case of NFT infringement

发行权用尽原则是否能在数字网络空间适用的问题可以说是争议不断。我国NFT第一案通过明确NFT数字作品交易为所有权转让解决了发行权用尽原则适用的前置性要件,但未能进一步挣脱传统物理观念的掣肘。立法论视野下,发行权用尽原则的适用基础实则在于所有权转让效果的发生,传统理念下的有形载体要件应根据数字技术发展的新情况作出必要的调整与变革。在法律适用上,发行权及发行权用尽原则与信息网络传播权、复制权的适用并不重合,因未经授权的作品上传和售卖行为落入信息网络传播权的规制范畴而否定发行权及发行权用尽原则在数字网络空间的适用不具有法律证成上的必然性。现有数字环境的发展为发行权用尽原则在数字网络空间提供了可行的技术土壤,通过确立更具操作性的评断标准及谨慎的司法认定,发行权用尽原则能够适用于数字网络空间。

Whether the exhaustion doctrine can be applicated in cyberspace has been hotly debated.The first NFT case in China solves the prerequisites for the application of the exhaustion doctrine by clarifying that the transaction of NFT digital works is the transfer of ownership,but it fails to further break the constraints of traditional physical concepts.From the perspective of legislation,the basis for the application of the exhaustion doctrine lies in the occurrence of the effect of ownership transfer.The tangible carrier elements under the traditional concept should be adjusted and reformed according to the new situation of digital technology development.In terms of legal application,the exhaustion doctrine does not overlap with the application of the rights of communication through information network and reproduction,and there is no necessary connection between them in terms of legal proof.The development of the existing digital environment provides a feasible technical soil for the application of the exhaustion doctrine in cyberspace.By establishing more practical judgment standards and prudent judicial determination,exhaustion doctrine can be applied to the digital cyberspace.