「由使用者提供內容」網站著作權問題之研究 －以YouTube為例

Abstract

「由使用者提供內容」網站(User-Generated Content Websites)是指平凡大眾利用數位科技參與並分享創作內容的網站，以部落格、影音分享網站為典型。該類型網站的出現是由於社會上長期存在的分享資訊、凝聚社群、表現自我的需求、以及資訊科技進步互相作用的結果。 該類型網站的興盛標誌了網路使用者自主權的崛起。其存在不僅造成言論自由市場蓬勃發展，更重要的是使網路使用者有了藉由發表言論來實現自我的機會。然而該類型網站也引起多件著作權人控告網站業者以及網路使用者侵害著作權的案例。同時，著作權人的進攻也引起網路自由運動團體起身代表受指控的網路使用者反控著作權人侵害言論自由。 這一波「由使用者提供內容」網站訴訟爭議的出現，究竟代表了什麼意義？對於現行著作權法又會產生何種影響？本文以YouTube相關案件為例，探討美國現行著作權法適用於該類型網站的問題。並認為，該類型網站與以往規避甚至刻意挑戰著作權法的網路服務提供者不同。對於其尊重並維護著作權的態度、以及出於公共利益考量所發展出不得不然的運作模式與商業模式，應該給予更公正的法律評價，現行著作權法間接侵權責任以及安全港條款構成要件應予修正。又對於該類型網站使用者的言論自由，著作權法中原有「合理使用」條款以為保障。然而通知取下制度的濫用與誤用以及合理使用判斷標準的模糊不清造成網路言論的寒蟬效應。又合理使用認定範圍寬窄將影響到網路使用者的言論自由是否真正獲得保障，因此合理使用條款適用時仍不能避免美國憲法第一修正案的檢驗。

User-Generated Content (UGC) websites refer to the websites the content of which is provided by internet users. Blogs and video-sharing websites are typical UGC websites. The advent of UGC websites is the consequence of interaction between innovations of new technology and the long-existing social needs of information-sharing, community-forming, and self-expression. The prosperity of UGC websites marked the rise of internet users’ autonomy. These websites not only further the development of market place of ideas, but also provide internet users with the opportunities of self-fulfillments. These websites has also led to many copyright infringement lawsuits against website owners and internet users. At the same time, many internet freedom groups and internet users are fighting back against copyright holders, asking for freedom of speech. What are the implications of these lawsuits? Will they have any impact on the existing copyright law? This thesis studies the legal issues of the YouTube case, and concludes that those websites deserve positive legal judgments since they are different from traditional internet service providers for their public interest considerations and good attitude toward copyright protection. The existing elements of secondary liability for copyright infringement and the DMCA safe harbor provisions should be amended. Furthermore, although copyright law already has the “fair use” doctrine to protect freedom of speech, the abuse or misuse of takedown notices and the ambiguity of fair use doctrine lead to chilling effects of internet speech. Thus, “fair use” doctrine does not ensure the freedom of speech of internet users, and the enforcement of copyright law is still under the first amendment scrutiny.