接触要件的基本内涵及认定规则

On the Basic Meaning of the Access Requirement and the Relevant Rule of Judgement

接触要件并非实质性相似的附随要件,而是为保障独立创作的自由而设立的,具有独立存在意义的要件。在司法实践中,主流的思考模式是将被告是否具有接触原告作品的可能性作为接触要件的具体内涵。然而,有无接触原告作品的可能性,仅仅是认定接触要件的间接事实,而接触要件的具体内涵,应当理解为"将既存作品用于自身作品中"这一客观事实。关于接触要件的举证责任分配问题,原告承担接触可能性以及证据性相似等间接事实的举证责任,而被告应当就是否独立创作承担举证责任。

Access is not a collateral requirement of substantial similarity, but is an independent requirement established to assure the freedom of independent creation. In judicial practice, the mainstream opinion takes whether the defendant has the possibility to access the plaintiff’s work as the basic meaning of access requirement.However, the possibility of accessing the plaintiff’s work is merely an indirect fact for judging the access requirement, while the basic meaning of access requirement shall be the objective fact that 'using an existing work in one’s own work'. Regarding the distribution of the burden of proof in relation to access requirement,the plaintiff bears the burden to to prove indirect facts, such as accessibility and probative similarity;while the defendant bears the burden to prove independent creation.