The Implications of Germany's Presumed Permission System for China's Copyright Filtering Obligations

论德国推定许可制度对中国版权过滤义务的启示

This study aims to analyze the legal framework and practical implications of the European Directive on Copyright in the Digital Single Market, focusing on the increased filtering obligations imposed on digital platforms. By examining Germany’s implementation of this directive, which includes specific rules on “minor uses” with quantitative standards, this study explores how these provisions seek to balance the interests of platforms, users, and copyright holders. Through a detailed review of the current status and controversies surrounding upload filters in China, this study highlights potential risks to users ’ rights under existing practices. Following this, the study introduces Germany’s approach to “minor uses” and its quantitative thresholds, discussing how these standards may help reduce compliance costs for platforms while protecting users’ freedom of expression. Based on these insights, this study considers how China might adopt aspects of the German rules to establish a more balanced framework. The findings suggest improvements to dispute resolution mechanisms and quantitative standards, aiming to enhance user experience while safeguarding copyright. This study emphasizes that adapting Germany's “presumptive licenses” system could provide China with a balanced approach to copyright protection and user rights.

随着欧盟《数字化单一市场版权指令》的通过，网络平台需承担更严格的版权过滤义务。德国率先将该指令转化为国内法，并通过细化规定，特别是对“小规模使用”设定明确量化标准，以平衡平台、用户和版权人的利益。有关这一制度能否为中国所借鉴存在争议。本文首先分析了中国目前版权过滤义务的现状和争议，指出不成熟的过滤技术和可能的用户权益侵害问题。随后详细介绍了德国法律中推定许可使用的具体条件和数值标准，并讨论其在减少平台过滤成本、保护用户创作自由等方面的合理性和可行性。最后探讨了中国借鉴这一制度的可行性，建议完善争端解决机制和量化标准的设定，以更好地平衡各方利益，提升用户体验，促进网络平台的健康发展。通过比较中德两国的版权过滤义务，本文提出了具体的改进措施，如引入比例标准、增强技术准确性、设立高效公正的争端解决机制，以及在标准制定过程中考虑本土文化和法律环境的差异。文章认为，借鉴德国的推定许可使用制度，有助于中国在版权保护与用户权利之间找到新的平衡点。