Timberland Investing and Private Property Rights in the United States of America

Investments in rural land for agriculture, timber, and other natural resource purposes occur frequently and globally. Fundamental principles of liberty and property found in the United States of America’s (“US”) legal system, from its origins to recent US Supreme Court decisions, continue to positively benefit holders of real estate in the Southern US, through a deep-rooted public policy of supporting private property rights and rural economic development. This stable rule of law enhances the long-term adaptability and sustainability of timberland as an asset class. This article is a commentary. It combines legal research methodology with the observations and conclusions of the authors. Its purpose is to demonstrate that the existence of alienable, documentable ownership, and related property rights create inherent stability and security. These principles form the basis of a culture that is defined by the rule of law and is “open for business.” This business mindset is particularly prevalent in the Southern US.

The “China model” of SOE reform and its challenges

Editorial Note I Reform of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) has always been an important issue in economic and state policy circles.Through 30 years of reform,beginning in1978,China’s SOEs have achieved remarkable success.

Deference or Proportionality: Two Concepts of Margin of Appreciation in the Strasbourg Court and Their Influences

The margin of appreciation is controversial and difficult to understand. Since its first reference in the case of Greece vs. UK, the meaning of this doctrine has evolved from deference to derogation from the European Convention to an inflation of language used or misused by the Strasbourg Court to preserve the State's 'room for manoeuvre' or 'latitude of deference or error.' In this paper, I divide the concept of margin of appreciation into two categories: the substantive and structural concept. The Strasbourg Court usually generously defers to national decisions in structural scrutiny where it has to respect European pluralism and the collective interests of the contracting parties unless domestic decisions are regarded as 'manifestly unreasonable.' In contrast, the European Human Rights Court scrutinizes carefully in the substantive sense of margin of appreciation. Some factors or test approaches will be identified first, by which the Court substantively narrows or limits the scope of margin preserved for the States. The result of two conceptual margins of appreciation may be reciprocally transformed in some circumstances. When the collective good surely undermines the core of Convention rights, the Court will not stand with the domestic argument since it must ensure the implementation of pan-European human rights standards. On the other side, the Court has no capacity to further increase strict scrutiny in cases where there is a complicated relationship between the means and ends in the proportionality test, implying that domestic courts are better placed than the supranational court given the fact that they know better the local reality and have more local knowledge.

Developing the Commons: Models of Rural Land Trust in China

In recent years,experiments on land trusts(xin tuo)have been made in the rural areas of China.To better understand such practice,this research identifies four case studies based on their operational structures and divides them into government-led models and market-led models.The government-led models include the Yiyang Model in Hunan Province,and the Longgang Model in Hubei Province.The market-led models include the Suzhou Model in Anhui Province,and the Golden Field Series Model in Jiangsu Province.This paper compares their profit-sharing mechanisms with specific attention given to the incentives for the villagers.Findings suggest that the villagers’profits are limited in both models.The government-led models concern less about profits but more on reusing the desolated agricultural land.The market-led models are profit-driven therefore tend to exclude the villagers from the profit-sharing process.

General Secretary Xi Jinping’s Important Statements on Respecting and Protecting Human Rights are Integral Parts of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era

General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important statements on respecting and protecting human rights have deepened the theoretical and practical cognition of the Communist party of China on human rights and opened up a new realm of socialist human rights theory with Chinese characteristics. They are major original theories responding to the demands of the times to realize national rejuvenation, fundamental guidelines for the development of China’s human rights for a new era, the most comprehensive, systematic and scientific human rights theoretical system of the Cp C so far, and integral parts of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Fra. The essence of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important statements on respecting and protecting human rights expound on the purpose, the path, the system, and the practice of human rights in China and offer valuable guidance for the development of the global human rights cause. General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important statements on respecting and protecting human rights establish a scientific guideline for the future development of human rights. They are of great significance to the promotion of broader and fuller enjoyment of human rights by the people, the realization of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, the improvement of international influence of China’s discourse power on human rights, and the better development of the world human rights cause.

Differences of language learning beliefs of postg raduates and undergraduates

The Company Law of 1993 is important in protecting the interests of both companies and shareholders.But on stock right,it always arouses heated debate among scholars.Before the promulgation of New Company Law of 2006,varieties of theories of this issue have been formed.Through analyzing and refuting those theories,I try to clear the ambiguous definition by explaining the essence of right and comparing related right,so as to reach the conclusion that the stock right is only the changeable form of the ownership of shareholders.

数据产权法律构造论

在数字经济环境中,数据已成为一种新型生产要素,需要更好地挖掘和开发其经济价值。数据不同于传统有体物以及知识产权客体的特征和属性使其在法律制度构建和运行上也具有特殊性。数据产权制度是数据基础制度的核心内容,其应涵盖保护数据主体合法权益、协调和平衡数据利益关系、促进数据有序流动和分享、促进数据要素利益公平分配等内容。数据产权的法律构造旨在建立数据资源持有权、数据加工使用权和数据产品经营权的数据动态流转和价值实现机制,最终服务于数字经济发展目标。

NFT数字作品交易行为的“发行属性”与适用规则

NFT数字作品交易方兴未艾,但侵权问题频现,亟需合理的规制路径。NFT技术促进数字作品交易客体特定化并产生准物权变动的效果,使NFT数字作品区别于一般数字作品与传统作品,为发行权扩张提供了技术性支撑。但发行权的扩张尚面临诸多困境,包括“有形载体”要件的阻碍、“所有权转移要件”标准不明、发行权与信息网络传播权在数字环境中存在重叠等。基于此,应当厘清数字环境中发行权与信息网络传播权的关系;细化NFT数字作品交易领域的发行权适用标准,完成从“有形载体”到“作品与载体相对应”的转变,明确“出售”及“所有权转移”的认定;以“转让+删除”技术及征收版权转售费作为辅助手段,完成发行权在NFT数字作品交易中的嬗变与适用。

现代产业学院混合所有制办学的现实意义、机制架构与路径选择

现代产业学院混合所有制办学有助于优化产业资源市场化配置、推动人才培养理实一体化、促进产业经济高质量发展和强化校企合作共同体构建。基本机制包括组织管理的健全机制、优质教学资源的共建机制、教师教学创新团队的共管机制、教育教学模式的改进机制和发展成果的共享机制。应探索混合制管理体制、协同建设系列优质教学资源、协同管理高素质教师教学创新团队、协同改进教育教学模式和共同分享发展成果,规范与促进现代产业学院混合所有制办学。

最有利于未成年人原则的实践基础与制度理性

《中华人民共和国民法典》《中华人民共和国未成年人保护法》一致采用“最有利于(被监护人/未成年子女/被收养人/未成年人)”表达范式,由此整个未成年人法律体系得以确立贯通性的基本原则,即最有利于未成年人原则。该原则同时具有承继国内法治实践和转化国际公约义务两个向度。对解释文件和司法数据的梳理表明,当前该原则的适用主要呈点阵式分布,存在覆盖不足、标准不一、机械援引等问题。对照国际规范体系,厘清儿童最大利益原则的权利要义、制度约束、效力层级和程序保障有助于为我国最有利于未成年人原则的适用注入系统、辩证和自洽的制度理性,进而通过权利本位明晰化、权益认定规范化、个案研判独异化和保护机制协同化,将这一中国特色表达深化为中国特色实践。

论生态环境损害赔偿制度的法理基础与规范构造

理解生态环境损害赔偿制度,须从环境治理体系和治理能力现代化的整体视域展开,同时,还要厘清生态环境与自然资源、生态环境损害与损害赔偿、赔偿请求权与赔偿诉权等核心概念。既有理论将自然资源国家所有权作为生态环境损害赔偿中的实体权利基础,然而,不论是公权说、私权说,还是二阶结构说、三层结构说,都不周延。因为生态环境损害赔偿制度存在二元构造,即赔偿请求权区别于赔偿诉权,赔偿请求权中基于自然资源所有权的物上请求权区别于侵害生态环境的侵权之债请求权,赔偿诉权中程序意义上的提起生态环境损害赔偿诉讼区别于实体意义上的救济自然资源所有权。这种二元构造客观上源于生态环境中单体自然资源的结构面向与整体生态功能的功能面向存在区分,其学理基础在于承继和发展了传统所有权的解释范式,其核心内容是对生态环境类的损害进行类型化。为此,该制度可从两个方面予以展开。长期而言,须仰仗制定中的生态环境法典规定生态环境损害赔偿的系列内容;当务之急,则是借助司法解释促进这些内容的适度法制化。

论融资租赁承租人破产时的出租人权利

融资租赁是一种新型交易模式,不宜以租赁交易等传统法律关系对其定性。融资租赁中作为出租人权利基础的所有权具有特殊性,相较于完整的所有权有所弱化,是为租金债权提供担保的“名义所有权”。从权利基础、利益衡量、制度取向三个角度出发,承租人破产时的出租人权利宜定性为破产别除权而非破产取回权。在融资租赁合同的破产处理中,《破产法》所规定的破产管理人的挑拣履行权不宜被直接移用。在出租人享有破产别除权的情况下,承租人破产管理人的挑拣履行权并无适用空间。未来立法应当将传统租赁从融资租赁中剔除,完善破产法有关融资租赁的特别规范,通过法制保障融资租赁行业发展行稳致远。

放活土地经营权的法典表达述评及其体系化解释

我国《民法典》关于土地经营权流转的基本规范,需要结合“三权分置”改革的政策目标进行体系化解释。土地经营权的性质应采纳“二元说”。土地经营权的流转或者再流转未向农地所属集体经济组织备案的,不影响土地经营权流转或者再流转的效力。但土地经营权的再流转未经承包方书面同意的,该流转行为无效。土地经营权向工商企业等社会资本流转的,未经县级以上人民政府的行政许可,该流转行为亦无效。是否登记取得权属证书,应不影响土地经营权的流转。物权性土地经营权可以进行抵押,债权性土地经营权可以进行质押。其他方式承包产生的土地经营权的流转,可以部分参照适用家庭承包语境中土地经营权的流转规则。

平台工人数据可携带权:法理证成与制度构建

平台企业在用工过程中强化了对平台工人的数据收集与算法管理,平台工人的数据权利保护亟待提上日程。数据可携带权已经得到欧盟立法的确认,在我国,进一步明确平台工人的数据可携带权存在必要性,该权利的设立不仅有利于维护平台工人的人格利益、财产利益,还有利于保障其择业自由。然而,该制度的设立存在诸多难点,平台工人数据可携带权的适用对象的模糊可能导致数据权属争议,数据存储转移格式不统一将引发监管困难,还存在限制平台用工市场竞争的风险。宜从平台用工中不同主体义务的立法设置、平台工人数据可携带权的适用对象和数据存储转移标准三条进路,构建平台工人数据可携带权的制度,以充分保障平台工人的数据权利。

土地经营权入股立法的反思与展望

自家庭联产承包责任制实施以来,关于农村土地承包经营权能否以入股等方式流转,在政策与法律层面经历了比较复杂的变迁过程。土地经营权入股在立法中得到确认是“三权分置”改革的重要成果之一,有利于在流转中更好地实现土地经营权的价值。土地经营权入股现行立法表达不规范、不统一,且与相关法律规定存在冲突,导致立法预期的实现受阻。以立法的基本原理来审视,立法用语不规范只是表面现象,土地经营权的性质不明才是立法困境的根源,对入股所致不利后果的担忧则进一步导致适用难题。实践中大量存在的“以租代转”、“名为入股、实为出租”现象表明,既有立法并不能有效满足土地经营权入股的需求,反而徒增解释与适用的混乱。为了弥合土地经营权入股的认知分歧,保持相关立法之间的协调,实现“三权分置”的立法目的,有必要在立法中统一相关表述,明确规定土地经营权的性质,移除土地经营权承载的不必要负担,让土地经营权真正成为“可以用货币估价并可以依法转让的非货币财产”,进而以“作价出资”取代“入股”。

论借名购房纠纷房屋物权的归属

司法实践中经常遇见所谓借名购房问题,这种房产物权名实不符的现象给相关司法裁判带来困惑,而《中华人民共和国民法典》(以下简称《民法典》)以及相关的司法解释中均没有对此类行为作出明确规定,各地法院在审理过程中的处理结果也不尽相同。对此,司法裁判应从意思自治的民法理念出发,结合《民法典》的基本法理及相关司法解释精神,在对借名购房纠纷中房屋物权归属进行系统法理分析基础上作出妥当处理。

宅基地分配中“落实集体所有权”的法理证成与制度实现

在推进宅基地“三权分置”改革、强化“落实集体所有权”的背景下,应否以及如何在宅基地分配中“落实集体所有权”殊值反思。现行宅基地分配中集体所有权的虚置与弱化加剧了“一户一宅”难以实现、宅基地资源闲置严重、宅基地财产价值难以释放等难题。在宅基地分配中注重“落实集体所有权”,既有充分的法理和政策根据,也有必要的组织和现实基础。应当秉持强化宅基地集体所有权的理念,构建和优化宅基地分配中“落实集体所有权”的制度和规范体系。

人工智能生成内容的可专利性及其制度回应

机器学习、计算机视觉、智能驾驶等人工智能技术得到日益广泛的应用,特别是近年来ChatGPT、Sora等以认知大模型为主的AI技术的加速迭代,将人类带入人工智能时代,人工智能正成为引领未来的新兴战略性技术。这些新质技术成果在给人类生活带来便捷的同时,也对社会秩序的诸多方面,如社会就业、网络安全、法律伦理等带来较大冲击。在知识产权领域,人工智能生成内容的可专利性及其权属等问题亟待廓清。在大多数国家的既有法律中未有人工智能生成内容相关规定,实践中极易引起相关权属、侵权纠纷,因此需要对现行专利权制度作出调整。从知识产权视角直面人工智能发展带来的冲击,分析人工智能生成内容的可专利性,认为无论是从AI生成内容的专利权客体属性,还是专利技术方案、专利“三性”等角度看,人工智能生成内容均具有可专利性。至于其专利权归属问题,涉及人工智能生成内容的AI研发者、所有者、使用者等多方利益主体,除各方事先或事后有约定外,应根据其实质性贡献认定发明人,并对AI生成内容专利申请的披露制度进行合理调适。