The Impact of Fundamental Rights on European Copyright Law – Opinion on the CJEU Decisions C-516/17 'Spiegel Online' and C-469/17 'Funke Medien'

First published in: GRUR Int. 2019, 1153 – 1160

Max Planck Institute for Innovation & Competition Research Paper No. 21-03

22 Pages Posted: 28 Dec 2020

See all articles by Ansgar Kaiser

Ansgar Kaiser

Max Planck Institute for Innovation and Competition

Stefan Scheuerer

Max Planck Institute for Innovation and Competition

Date Written: October 31, 2019

Abstract

The CJEU’s decisions Spiegel Online and Funke Medien deal with the relationship between copyright law and the law of fundamental rights. The crucial question in both cases was in particular if exceptions and limitations beyond Art. 5 InfoSoc Directive can be justified by fundamental rights. This Opinion sheds light on the overarching background of both decisions, different methodological opportunities and – of course – the CJEU’s decisions. It identifies a lack of flexibility in European copyright law and discusses possible ways forward.

Keywords: Copyright law, CJEU, Spiegel Online, Funke Medien, Pelham, fundamental rights, human rights, misuse, abuse, dysfunctional, exceptions and limitations, external limitations, InfoSoc Directive, flexibility, fair use, balance of interests

Suggested Citation

Kaiser, Ansgar and Scheuerer, Stefan, The Impact of Fundamental Rights on European Copyright Law – Opinion on the CJEU Decisions C-516/17 'Spiegel Online' and C-469/17 'Funke Medien' (October 31, 2019). First published in: GRUR Int. 2019, 1153 – 1160, Max Planck Institute for Innovation & Competition Research Paper No. 21-03, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3751209

Ansgar Kaiser

Max Planck Institute for Innovation and Competition ( email )

Marstallplatz 1
Munich, Bayern 80539
Germany

Stefan Scheuerer (Contact Author)

Max Planck Institute for Innovation and Competition ( email )

Marstallplatz 1
Munich, Bayern 80539
Germany

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