Public Law Researsh

Freedom of Expression and Idea-Expression Dichotomy

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Mehdi Zahedi 1
shirin sharifzadeh 2

1 Associate Professor, Private Law, Allameh Tabataba’i University, Tehran, Iran

2 Ph.D Student, Private Law, Allameh Tabataba’i University, Tehran, Iran

https://doi.org/10.22054/qjpl.2021.56622.2518
Abstract
Freedom of expression includes the freedom to express, access and dissemination of information, whereas copyright, by protecting the original works of authorship, restricts use, access and dissemination of the protected works. When an expression is protected by copyright, freedom of expression or press can be restricted. Some are of the opinion that these two rights are, in fact, not in conflict with each other but rather derived from the same social values seeking to protect each right. Common goals such as flow of cultural ideas or promoting creativity in the society causes interaction and synergy between the two. Idea-expression dichotomy by determining the scope of the copyright and distinguishing what belongs to the public domain, which is not a protected, will ensure a constructive interaction between the two and protects the public interest and dose not restrict freedom of expression. This article will discuss how to strike a balance between the public interest in freedom of expression and the private interests of the copyright owners without undermining the other. Idea-expression dichotomy as a counterbalance between these two rights is the cornerstone of this article.

Keywords

Freedom of Expression
Idea-Expression Dichotomy
Copyright
Access to Information
Public Interest

  • مقاله‌ها

    • زاهدی، مهدی و شیرین شریف‌زاده، «حق دسترسی به اطلاعات: کپی رایت یا کپی لفت»، در: از حق مداری تا حکومت قانون، مجموعه مقالات اهدایی به استاد دکتر محمد محمدی (گرگانی)، تهران: انتشارات گنج دانش، (1396).
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    • حکمت‌نیا، محمود و محمد موحدی ساوجی، «جایگاه مبانی نظری در فهم و ترسیم نظام مالکیت فکری»، مجله فقه و حقوق، سال دوم، شماره 94، (1385).
    • محمدی، پژمان، «نقد یک رأی در مورد مالکیت ادبی و هنری مفهوم و معیارهای اثر و نقض حقوق مالی آن»، مطالعات حقوق خصوصی، دوره 42، شماره2، (1391).

    References

    Books

    • Gorman, Robert A, Copyright Law (USA: Federal Judicial Center Publication, 2006).
    • Lee, Yin Harn, Copyright and Freedom of Expression: A Literature Review (England: CREATe Working Paper 2015).
    • Mendis, Sunimal, Copyright, the Freedom of Expression and the Right to Information: Exploring a Potential Public Interest Exception to Copyright in Europe (Munich: Intellectual Property Law Center - MIPLC, Nomos Publishers, 2011).
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    • Birnhack, Michael D, “Acknowledging the Conflict between Copyright Law and Freedom of Expression under the Human Right Act”, Entertainment Law Review, 14, (2003).
    • Christie, Andrew F, “Copyright Protection for Ideas: An Appraisal of the Traditional View”, Monash University Law Review, Vol. 10, (1984).
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    Thesis

    • Bakhariev, Legor, “Special Approach for Musical Works in Relation to the Idea-Expression Dichotomy in Copyright Law”, Faculty of Law, Lund University, (2016).
    • Moustaka, Evanthia, Maria, “REINVENTING COPYRIGHT The Scope, The Depth and the Edges of Copyright Protection Through the Idea/expression Dichotomy”, International Hellenic University (2018).

    Case Law

    • Ashdown MP PC v. Telegraph Group Ltd [2001] EWCA Civ 1142.
    • Harper & Row, Publishers Inc. v. Nation Enterprise (1985) 471 U.S.539.
    • Nichols v. Universal Pictures Corporation,45 F.2d 119 (1930).
    • SunTrust Bank v. Houghton Mifflin co.,268 F.3d 1257 (2001).
    • U & R Tarservices Ltd v. H.R Block (1995), 97 F.T.R.259 (TD).

     

Public Law Researsh
Volume 23, Issue 71
Summer 2021
Pages 95-127

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