Plattformsleverantörers upphovsrättsliga ansvar

Sammanfattning: The aim of this study is to investigate the liability for the users of platforms as well as the liability of the platform providers themselves in cases where the users of social platforms upload copyrighted material to the platforms according to EU law. The study is also aimed to examine the by the EU proposed “Directive on Copyright in the Digital Single Market” (2016/0280(COD)), especially in relation to the proposed Art. 13 of the directive, and how the directive might change the liability of the platform providers. The study is regarding the first aim based on established EU law and discusses the liability for users and platform providers mainly through cases from the European Court of Justice. This is done through the legal dogmatic method. The study finds according to established EU law that it is unclear whether the users or the platform providers could be held liable for the communication to the public made without the right holder’s approval according to Art. 3.1 of the Infosoc Directive (2001/29/EG). It is also unclear if the platform providers can benefit from the exemption rules in Art. 12 and 14 of the E-Commerce Directive (2000/31/EG). Concerning the examination of the proposal of the Copyright Directive, it is discussed mainly through a legal policy method. Since the study discusses the proposal of the directive it is primarily how the directive - if it becomes established law – will change the liability for the platform providers, as well as other critique of the proposal that the study examines. The study finds that the current proposal of the Copyright Directive seems to be to unclear in its preliminary design and fails to keep a balance between the protection of the right holder’s rights and the general goals of the EU. The study also finds that the current proposal might not clarify the current uncertainty of the liability for platform providers.