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| Normative Construction of the Right of Publishers of Public Domain Works |
| LI Hao1,2 |
1. Law School, Wuhan University, 430072, Wuhan, China 2. Faculty of Law, University of Oxford, OX1 3UL, Oxford, UK |
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Abstract Although unpublished works within the public domain are no longer subject to the exclusive control of copyright holders, they often remain de facto inaccessible to the general public owing to practical obstacles such as dispersal, private hoarding, and the absence of systematic editing and publication efforts. In this regard, the introduction of the Right of Publishers of Public Domain Works plays an essential role in filling the incentive gap created by the expiration of copyright. This mechanism provides a legal basis for motivating publishers to undertake the necessary investments in critical editing, annotation, and the First Public Disclosure of hidden documents, rare manuscripts, and other neglected cultural materials. Such endeavors contribute to both cultural preservation and public interest by enabling broader access to works that would otherwise remain confined to obscurity. Notably, the establishment of this right does not violate the foundational principle of the public domain under copyright law, which seeks to guarantee free access once the term of exclusive rights has lapsed. Rather, the Right of Publishers of Public Domain Works operates in harmony with this principle, offering a moderate and balanced form of legal protection aimed at facilitating, rather than restricting, public dissemination. Compared to the fragmented and often unpredictable protections afforded by unfair competition law — particularly in cases involving misappropriation of editorial or publication efforts — the Right of Publishers of Public Domain Works offers a more systematic and transparent framework. It recognizes both the intellectual and financial input of publishers while avoiding the pitfalls of overprotection that may arise from expansive interpretations of unfair competition doctrines. In terms of Rights Construction, this right should, as a rule, be limited to works in the public domain that have not yet been made available to the public. However, in exceptional circumstances, especially in the case of scholarly efforts to collate and annotate ancient classics, limited protection may be justified. Such protection would acknowledge the intellectual labor and originality involved in transforming fragmented and outdated materials into coherent and accessible editions. Importantly, the Right of Publishers of Public Domain Works should be characterized as a simple remuneration right, ensuring that publishers receive reasonable compensation without granting them monopoly control over the work. The exercise of this right must be conditioned upon lawful possession of the original or a legitimate copy, thereby preventing opportunistic claims. Furthermore, to avoid excessive restriction on public access, a limited term of protection should be imposed, ideally not exceeding 25 years. This period strikes an appropriate balance between incentivizing publishers and preserving the public domain’s vitality. To ensure fairness and prevent market abuses, the implementation of a mandatory collective management system is recommended. Such a system would regulate licensing fees and ensure equitable remuneration for publishers. Simultaneously, the moral rights of original authors and their close relatives must be respected. Special consideration should be given to privacy rights, the right of attribution, and the right to integrity. In the context of Rights Limitations, anonymization techniques and standardized attribution rules may be employed, where necessary, to achieve an appropriate balance between safeguarding authorial dignity and advancing the broader goal of cultural dissemination.
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Published: 05 June 2025
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