C 2024

Hosting

KOUKAL, Pavel

Basic information

Original name

Hosting

Authors

Edition

Cheltenham, Elgar Encyclopedia of Intellectual Property Law, 2024

Publisher

Edward Elgar

Other information

Language

English

Type of outcome

Kapitola resp. kapitoly v odborné knize

Field of Study

50501 Law

Country of publisher

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Confidentiality degree

není předmětem státního či obchodního tajemství

References:

Organization unit

Faculty of Law

DOI

Keywords in English

hosting services; safe harbour regime; e-Commerce Directive (EC) 2000/31); Copyright in the Digital Single Market (CDSM) Directive; Digital Services Act (DSA)

Tags

International impact, Reviewed
Změněno: 15/5/2024 10:10, doc. JUDr. Pavel Koukal, Ph.D.

Abstract

V originále

This entry explores the concept of hosting within EU copyright law, covering services such as web hosting, social media platforms, cloud storage, and video sharing. The EU's e-Commerce Directive ((EC) 2000/31) establishes a 'safe harbour' regime, shielding hosting providers from liability for user-uploaded content if certain conditions are met, such as acting promptly upon gaining actual knowledge of illegal content and avoiding general monitoring obligations. Influenced by the U.S. DMCA, this regime has led to varied applications across Member States, with Germany imposing intermediary liability for failing to prevent illegal activities, while France adheres strictly to safe harbour provisions for purely technical intermediaries. Recent legal developments, including the Copyright in the Digital Single Market (CDSM) Directive and the 2022 Digital Services Act (DSA), impose stricter obligations on online content-sharing service providers (OCSSPs) to prevent copyright infringement and enhance transparency and accountability. The CJEU has sought to harmonize these principles, emphasizing a balance between freedom of expression and intellectual property protection. This entry highlights the evolving nature of hosting in EU copyright law, balancing the protection of intellectual property rights with the fundamental freedoms of service providers and users.