An analysis of the fundamental tensions between copyright and social media: the legal implications of sharing images on Instagram

ABSTRACT

Copyright is inherently intertwined with the development of technology and none more so than the advent of the Internet and sharing technologies. More recently, social media platforms have become the latest challenge for copyright law and policy. This article builds on the literature that recognises the underlying conflict between copyright and social networking sites (SNSs); namely that the basic implication of copyright is the restriction of copying, whereas the ethos of social networking is the promotion of sharing. In particular, this article focuses on the disparity between the restricted acts of copying and communication to the public under copyright law and the encouragement of sharing on SNS Instagram. In doing so, it contextualises the debate surrounding copyright and social media and provides an understanding of the legal implications of using Instagram. As such this paper analyses (1) the infringement of copyright protected work on Instagram, and (2) the user-agreement and licensing of copyright material on Instagram. This study concludes that the disparity between the principles of copyright and social media lead to confusion and vulnerability of users. Therefore, it is suggested that Instagram should better inform its users of the implications of sharing third-party content as well as the terms of its user agreement. This could be done by implementing a copyright strategy, which includes a notice and takedown system as well as investing in producing educational content for users. Perhaps SNSs, such as Instagram might be more motivated to take steps to recognise intellectual property rights if they were considered Internet Services Provides such as YouTube.     

新媒介技术下中国政治传播的改变及应对

在新媒介时代,网络空间成为政治传播线上宣传的公共领域,新媒介技术成为不断推动这个领域创新发展的重要力量。新媒介技术下的政治传播格局发生改变,政治传播主体更加多元,政治传播方式更加多样,政治传播的问题也逐渐凸显。转变传统公共政治传播观念,以新媒介技术为支撑,传播优质内容,寻求与公众的政治共识,建立公共传播与公众传播的多向互动格局,增强公众对政府的信任度,能够对新媒介技术下政治传播生态的健康发展产生积极作用。     

Citizen aid,social media and brokerage after disaster

Abstract

In a crisis, aid providers deliver humanitarian relief across a hierarchy of organisations where influence and capacity map to their scale of operations. On the front lines of crises, ‘citizen aid’ is what small, local and informal groups offer to fellow citizens. These citizen aid groups are well-networked in place and tend to work through longstanding personal relationships. In the Philippines, citizen aid groups frequently support their activities by documenting their work with photos of beneficiaries to solicit donations from within the country and around the world across social media platforms. This paper builds on recent debates on brokerage through a case study of citizen aid in the relief effort after Typhoon Haiyan (2013–2017). Using this case-study approach, we demonstrate how social media has produced novel forms of brokerage shaped by circulating images online. This new kind of brokerage involves a layered network of brokers that both shapes citizen aid efforts and creates new channels for localising aid, enhancing the control of citizen groups in the Global South over aid.     

从伦理规则到生活法则——中国传统法律制度史的另类解读

从长时段考察中国传统法律的发展和演变,特别是国家制定法的发展和演变,就可发现这样一个明显的规律:从伦理规则向生活规则的演变,这一点在有关民事方面的法律里面表现得更为明显。这一演变过程是漫长的,甚至是残酷的。它提醒我们,法律的作用不应过分夸大,立法时应注意听取民众的意见。     

A Dialectic Study of the Structure and Basic Concepts of Traditional Chinese Law and an Analysis of the Relationship Between li (ceremony) and fa (law)

In the course of history, the meaning of fa (a Chinese character with an approximate meaning of “law”) has not been invariable, and its connotation in modern times has been enriched constantly, so as to incorporate many elements of ancient li (ceremony). If the modern concept of law, already changed and still changing, is to be used to mechanically compare and interpret traditional Chinese law, misunderstandings might arise. Actually, li and fa are indispensable components of traditional Chinese law, and the lack of necessary study of the li will prevent us from understanding and explaining the spirit of traditional Chinese law. In traditional Chinese law, “fa” usually refers to an institutional dimension, especially after Qin and Han dynasties, whereas li, especially li yi (moral basis for rites and ceremonies), is where the value and spirit of traditional Chinese law can be found. Translated from China Social Science, 5^th Issue, 2003 in Chinese     

大众传媒中歧视问题探究

大众传媒对当前信息传播的重要影响毋庸置疑,由于其宣称的独立性,以及站在政治和商业权力的对立面而受到普遍的赞誉。但在这个貌似公正无私外表的掩饰下,媒体却对现实社会中众多的“歧视”观念的产生和延续有着不可推卸的责任。     

民族民间传统文化保护的法哲学考察——以知识产权基本理论为研究范式

《乌苏里船歌》案被认为是中国司法部门就民族民间传统文化保护诉讼进行审理的代表性案件。该案件虽然早已有了明确的结论 ,但它对我国民族民间传统文化保护的价值取向、研究进路、模式选择等仍在产生着深刻的影响 ,因此引起了知识产权理论界的关注。虽然既有的知识产权基本理论范式能够对民族民间传统文化保护的正当性提供一定程度的证明 ,但运用各种传统理论论证民族民间传统文化保护的正当性还存在着诸多的困境。“权利弱化与利益分享理论”则为建构民族民间传统文化的知识产权保护体系提供了新的理论基石。     

俄罗斯生态犯罪的立法评析及借鉴

俄罗斯刑法通过生态犯罪的设立保护生态环境,俄罗斯生态犯罪立法的价值取向、范围及处罚方式等,值得中国刑法立法的借鉴。中国刑法应设立生态犯罪以取代传统环境犯罪;中国生态犯罪应将生态法益作为保护的必要要件,其立法范围也要予以拓展。     

《周易》领导思想的启示意义

《周易》是对后世影响深远的原典著作。撩开其神秘的面纱,从中可以窥见其蕴含着丰富的领导智慧。笔者从革故鼎新、顺天应人；忧勤惕厉,居安思危；知柔知刚,刚柔相济；守位日仁,聚人日财等四个方面解读其领导思想精华。