Streaming Video Games: Copyright Infringement or Protected Speech?

  • Eirik Evert Elias Jungar Uppsala University

Abstract

Streaming video games, that is, live broadcasting playing video games on the internet, is incredibly popular. Millions tune into twitch.tv daily to watch eSport tournaments, their favourite streamer, and chat with other viewers. But all is not rosy in the world of streaming games. Recently, some game developers have aggressively exercised their copyright to, firstly, claim part of the streamers’ revenue, and secondly, control the context in which their game is shown. The article analyzes whether game developers have, and should have, such rights under EU copyright law. Reaching the conclusion that video game streams infringe the game developer’s right to communicate their works to the public, I argue that freedom of expression can and should be used to rein in their rights in certain cases. Subjecting the lawfulness of streams to game developers’ good will risks stifling the expressions of streamers. The streamers, their audience, and even the copyright holders, would be worse off for it.

Author Biography

Eirik Evert Elias Jungar, Uppsala University

Master of Laws Student at Uppsala University.

https://se.linkedin.com/in/eirikjungar

References

7.1 Legislation and Official Publications

Berne Convention, Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works

WCT, The World Intellectual Property Organization Copyright Treaty

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Software Directive, Directive 2009/24/EC Of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 April 2009 on the legal protection of computer programs

TRIPS, Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights

7.2 Case-law

7.2.1 Court of Justice of the European Union

C-306/05 Sociedad General de Autores y Editores de España (SGAE) v Rafael Hoteles SA. 7 December 2006 ECLI:EU:C:2006:764

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C-355/12, Nintendo Co. Ltd and Others v PC Box Srl, 9Net Srl 23 January 2014, ECLI:EU:C:2014:25

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7.2.2 Opinions of Advocate Generals

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C-355/12, Opinion of Advocate General Sharpston in Nintendo v PC Box, 19 September 2013, ECLI:EU:C:2013:581

C-201/13 Opinion of Advocate General Cruz Villalón in Johan Deckmyn and Vrijheidsfonds VZW v Helena Vandersteen and Others 22 May 2014 ECLI:EU:C:2014:458

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Fredrik Neij and Peter Sunde Kolmisoppi (The Pirate Bay) v. Sweden, 19 February 2013, Application No. 40397/12

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7.4 Other Sources

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7.4.2 Web-pages

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7.4.3 Reports

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Published
December 7, 2016
Section
Articles