對著作權保護範圍擴張的因應-合理使用實務與理論基礎之研究

Abstract

隨著著作權權利範圍與保障時間的擴張，著作權人更強的獨佔權利對於持續創新與知識流通可能的負面影響成為眾所關注的問題。此時，合理使用如何發揮兼顧公共利益與創作者創作誘因的機能更為重要。但本研究發現，我國現有合理使用的案件不但數量有限而且類型仍相當單純，現有案例恐無法提供清楚的法律指引，如此將可能造成對著作利用人的寒蟬效應。在這種窘境下，回歸合理使用的理論基礎可能是最佳的解決方式。近年來美國學者所提倡的對價理論與市場失靈理論雖仍有未竟之處，但仍然提供我國司法者與社會大眾一個清晰的參考點，但進一步理論細緻化的工作，仍待進一步努力。

Along with the enlargement of the scope and duration of copyright, it is generally believed that the barrier to continual innovation and knowledge distribution also increases. How to leverage fair use to best preserve public interest thus becomes a very important issue. This research conducted a survey over fair use cases in Taiwan since 1999. It is found that the current fair use cases are limited in number and only involve straight-forward facts and are less delicate compared to similar development in other advanced countries. If the current most controversial case- Google Print- were heard in Taiwan, the current precedent even fails to provide a concrete roadmap toward dispute resolution. A blurry line of fair use may result in chilling effect to the potential innovators. This paper suggests that resorting to the most basic theoretical basis of fair use may be a best solution to such difficulty. Although the current most influential theories- market failure and quid pro quo- have their own disadvantage, yet they provide a clear starting point for the judiciary and the society as a whole. That said, how to enrich the content of the current theoretical framework and make it more practicable remains a most difficult yet utmost important subject ahead of us.