超链接侵权的法律规制

超链接 (hyperlinks)是一种在INTERNET上获取信息的工具 ,它只是提供一个计算机能看懂的文件地址 ,并没有对被链接的信息做任何形式的操作 ,因而不构成复制、发行和演绎侵权 ,尽管它侵犯了公开传播权 ,却属法定许可。根据商标法 ,超链接将他人的商品贴上自己的商标 ,构成了反向假冒 ,同时会削弱驰名商标的显著性或区分性 ,也构成了商标注水。由反不正当竞争法来完成规制超链接侵权的使命更为妥当更为合理。目前有必要先采取一些治标之法 ,如允许参考性链接等

Regulation of Law on Hyperlinks

Internet users resort to hyperlinks to locate information. A hyperlink merely provides a link to a particular website that the computer can interpret, but does not operate upon the linked information in any form. As a result, the use of hyperlinks is not considered as an act of copying, distribution or deduction and therefore is not an infringement of copyright. Though it infringes upon the right of public transmission, such practices are legally allowable. According to the Trademark Law, however, by the use of hyperlinks one sticks his own trademark on someone else's commodity and this constitutes reverse faking while compromises the identity and distinction of that trademark, known as trademark dilution. It is more appropriate and reasonable for the Unfair Competition Law to assume the responsibility to regulate the use of hyperlinks. Currently, there is the necessity of taking some compromise measures, like permitting the use of reference hyperlinks.