Journal of Intellectual Property Rights

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The Idea-Expression Dichotomy in Artistic Works: The Case Study in the United Kingdom


Affiliations
1 Universitas Syiah Kuala, Darussalam, Banda Aceh, 23111, Aceh, Indonesia
 

Under the idea/expression dichotomy, the protection of copyright extends only to an artist‟s original expression and it does not protect the ideas that are being expressed. Lord Hoffmann‟s decision in Designers Guild v Russel Williams (Textiles) Ltd has clearly interpreted that the idea that is only in the head that has been unexpressed in a copyrightable form is not entitled to copyright. Nevertheless, a problem may arise when the idea and its expression are difficult to be separated and they are considered to have merged or called as scenes a faire. As a result, this merger doctrine has caused the expression not copyrightable. In the UK, this merger doctrine can be seen from the House of Lord‟s decision in LB Plastics v Swish and Hanfstaengl v Baines.

Keywords

Idea-Expression Dichotomy, Copyright, Design and Patent Act, 1988, Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Rights, 1994, Artistic Works, Scenes a Faire.
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  • The Idea-Expression Dichotomy in Artistic Works: The Case Study in the United Kingdom

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Authors

Mahfud Mahfud
Universitas Syiah Kuala, Darussalam, Banda Aceh, 23111, Aceh, Indonesia
Faisal A. Rani
Universitas Syiah Kuala, Darussalam, Banda Aceh, 23111, Aceh, Indonesia

Abstract


Under the idea/expression dichotomy, the protection of copyright extends only to an artist‟s original expression and it does not protect the ideas that are being expressed. Lord Hoffmann‟s decision in Designers Guild v Russel Williams (Textiles) Ltd has clearly interpreted that the idea that is only in the head that has been unexpressed in a copyrightable form is not entitled to copyright. Nevertheless, a problem may arise when the idea and its expression are difficult to be separated and they are considered to have merged or called as scenes a faire. As a result, this merger doctrine has caused the expression not copyrightable. In the UK, this merger doctrine can be seen from the House of Lord‟s decision in LB Plastics v Swish and Hanfstaengl v Baines.

Keywords


Idea-Expression Dichotomy, Copyright, Design and Patent Act, 1988, Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Rights, 1994, Artistic Works, Scenes a Faire.

References