Webcasters’ protection under copyright – A comparative study

This paper studies the fourth generation ‘peer-2-peer’ (P2P) file sharing technology which is also known as streaming technology from the technology point of view. It critically analyses the nature of streaming technology and assesses similarities to broadcasting for the purpose of copyright protection in the name of webcasting. In addition, it considers the possibility of protecting webcasting within the framework of broadcasting under copyright and the extent of broadcasters’ rights applicable to webcasters. Based on the conclusions derived from the discussion of UK, New Zealand, Italian and US law on streaming, WIPO Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR) draft documents will be critically analyzed. The Last part of this work will offer suggestions as to how to protect webcasting (streaming technology) under the umbrella of copyright.