The Path to Identifying Copyright Attributes of Video Screenshots

How to determine its legal attributes in video screenshots is vital in cases related to video screenshots. This study aims to analyze the key factors affecting the attributes of video screenshots through literature analysis and case study, and build a standardized identification path for reference in related cases. It is found that there are mainly four views in the academic circle, namely, “photographic work theory”, “video component theory”, “classified discussion theory” and “multiple types of simultaneous determination theory”. China tends to take a positive attitude towards the protection of video screenshots consistent with the above two theories. Meanwhile, in practice, there are also decisions that protect video screenshots through the two paths of “portrait right” and “the role image in the screenshot is a work of art”. Considering the attribute of the original video (source video) and the originality of the video screenshot itself, judging from the perspectives of the self-consistency of object judgment, the consistency of rights ownership and the economy of protection costs, the “video component theory” should be adopted. Therefore, video screenshots should be identified as a component part of audio-visual works or video recording of a performance to be protected.

在视频截图相关纠纷中，如何认定其法律属性是案件的重要一环。本研究通过文献分析法和案例分析法，旨在剖析影响视频截图属性的关键因素，构建一条规范的认定路径，为相关案件做出参考。研究发现，关于视频截图在著作权法上的性质，学界主要存在“摄影作品说”“视频组成部分说”“分类讨论说”和“多类型同时认定说”四种观点。中国法院对于视频截图往往采取积极保护的态度，主流保护模式与前述两种学说相一致。同时，实践中也存在通过“肖像权侵权”和“截图中角色形象系美术作品”两种路径保护视频截图的判决。结合原视频（来源视频）的属性和视频截图本身的独创性，从客体判断的自洽性、权利归属的一致性和保护成本的经济性等角度出发，应当采用“视频组成部分说”。因此，应将视频截图认定为视听作品或录像制品的组成部分，从而以视听作品或录像制品的方式进行保护。