4.2.1-5 What provision of the CopA should be kept in mind when works accessible to the public are photographed?

by iv4n.p4v1c | Oct 7, 2022 | FAQ

Art. 27 CopA – according to this provision, a work permanently situated in a place accessible to the public may be depicted; the depiction may be offered, sold, broadcast or otherwise distributed

4.2.1-4 Does it matter whether an analogue or a digital photo is made of a work?

by iv4n.p4v1c | Oct 7, 2022 | FAQ

No, in both cases, a copy of the work is recorded – for analogue photos by the negative (cf. Hilty, Urheberrecht, 2011, 134) and for digital photos by the fact that the photo file is saved.

4.2.1-3 A work (e.g. a picture, sculpture, building structure, etc.) is photographed. Is this a reproduction?

by iv4n.p4v1c | Oct 7, 2022 | FAQ

Yes, a photo is a copy of the work.

4.2.1-2 Is it a reproduction if a copy of the work was used as the template for the reproduction rather than the original?

by iv4n.p4v1c | Oct 7, 2022 | FAQ

Yes, the template does not necessarily have to be the original; a reproduction (copy) – even an unauthorised copy – can be used as the template (cf. Hilty, Urheberrecht, 2011, 133).

4.2.1-1 Is downloading a text from the Internet always considered to be reproduction?

by iv4n.p4v1c | Oct 7, 2022 | FAQ

Yes, this is reproduction pursuant to Art. 10 para. 2 (a) CopA. Files are called up on the Internet and saved on the computer. A copy of the file (=reproduction) has therefore been made on the computer. Although such files are usually only copied temporarily, e.g. the...

4.2-1 What is the difference between the author’s moral right and property right?

by iv4n.p4v1c | Oct 7, 2022 | FAQ

The property right comprises the right to use the work and can be assigned partially or in full to third parties. The moral right protects the author’s personal relationship to the work and cannot be assigned. Even if an author assigns the property right in full to a...

4.1.3-5 May a museum which purchased an original painting from an artist and digitised this painting for its collection, dispose of the original work because it is no longer needed after the digitisation?

by iv4n.p4v1c | Oct 7, 2022 | FAQ

No, the museum must offer to return the original work to the artist (Art. 15 para. 1 CopA). The museum may only dispose of the work after the artist has refused to take it back.

4.1.3-4 Is there a distinction between the alteration and the adaptation of a work?

by iv4n.p4v1c | Oct 7, 2022 | FAQ

Yes, if a work is changed to the extent that it contains new creative contents, it is considered to be an adaption in the sense that it is derivative work (Art. 3 para. 1 CopA). However, if the work is edited without any creative quality, this is considered to be an...

4.1.3-3 Is there an exception in copyright law that allows owners who are not authors to make alterations to works protected by copyright?

by iv4n.p4v1c | Oct 7, 2022 | FAQ

Yes, for building structures, Art. 12 para. 3 CopA: Works of architecture that have been constructed may be altered by the owner. However, the authors can oppose any distortion of their work that infringes their personality.

4.1.3-2 May I make alterations to a picture if the artist gave the picture to me and I am now the owner of the picture?

by iv4n.p4v1c | Oct 7, 2022 | FAQ

No, ownership does not change the fact that the artist remains the author of the work and has the exclusive right to make alterations to the work pursuant to Art. 11 para. 2 CopA. The situation would be different if the artist had expressly permitted me to...