提供"深层链接"行为侵权责任之构成要件分析——兼评《尼莫论版权》链接侵权责任理论

Analysis of Constituent Elements for Establishing Liability in——"Deep Linking"Actions-Review of the Theory of Linking Liability in"Nimmer on Copyright"

尼莫教授主张提供指向有侵权文件网站的链接并非"直接侵权",提供"深层链接"行为不构成对版权的直接侵权.国内学术界及实务界多从"利益失衡""技术中立"等角度分析认定提供"深层链接"应属于信息网络传播行为.从一般侵权行为构成要件角度分析,提供"深层链接"行为无法满足行为与权利侵害之间的因果关系要素,不构成侵权法意义上的直接侵权行为.对于规避或破坏被链网站的技术措施并提供"深层链接"的行为,著作权法中有关保护技术措施的条款可进行规制.同时,在满足一定条件下,《反不正当竞争法》也可以对某些提供"深层链接"行为予以规制.

Professor Nimmer argues that providing links to sites containing infringing content does not constitute"direct infringement",and that providing"deep links"does not amount to direct copyright infringement.Both the academic and practical communities in China often analyze the provision of"deep links"from perspectives such as"imbalance of interests"and"technological neutrality"to conclude that it falls under the category of information network transmission.From the perspective of the general elements required to establish an infringement,the act of providing"deep links"fails to satisfy the causation element between the action and the infringement of rights,and therefore does not constitute a direct infringement under copyright law.For actions that circumvent or undermine the technical measures of linked websites and provide"deep links",copyright law's provisions on the protection of technical measures can be applied.Additionally,under certain conditions,the"Anti-Unfair Competition Law"can also regulate some actions involving the provision of"deep links".