Document Type
Book Chapter
Publication Date
2017
Keywords
Digital content, copyright, consumer protection, interoperability, private copying, geo-blocking
Abstract
Copyright law is not primarily directed at consumers. Their interests are therefore only marginally accounted for, as the copyright rules exempt specific uses of works from the right holder’s control. This chapter examines the impact of digital technology on the position of consumers of licensed copyrighted content. While ownership of the physical embodiment of a work does not entail the ownership of the rights in the work, how does copyright law deal with ‘disembodied’ works? Whereas digital content is now commonly distributed on the basis of individual licensing schemes, what does it mean for consumers? Do they have a claim under consumer protection law against copyright owners for the impossibility to make a copy for private purposes, the lack of interoperability between devices, and the geo-blocking of their account?
Recommended Citation
Lucie Guibault, "Individual licensing and consumer protection" in Kung-Chung Liu & Reto M. Hilty, eds, Remuneration of Copyright Owners - Regulatory Challenges of New Business Models (Berlin: Springer, 2017).
