The Legal Protection of Databases

A Comparative Analysis

埃斯特尔Derclaye教授知识ty Law, School of Law, University of Nottingham, UK

The protection of the investment made in collecting, verifying or presenting database contents is still not harmonised internationally. Some laws over-protect database contents, whilst others under-protect them. This book examines and compares several methods available for the protection of investment in database creation – namely, intellectual property, unfair competition, contract and technological protection measures – in order to find an adequate type and level of protection. To this effect, the author uses criteria based on a combination of the economics of information goods, the human rights to intellectual property and to information, and the public interest, proposing a model that can be adopted at international and national levels.

‘Dr Derclaye’s book is well structured. . . the methodology is theoretical and comparative. . . Derclaye’s work on database law is timely and readable, presenting a sound thesis to the perceived problems.’
– Patricia Akester, Journal of Intellectual Property

‘This book has a wide-ranging, detailed appeal for all lawyers, students and those in the public and private sectors. . .’
– Richard Chambers

‘. . . this book is a detailed, comprehensive and well-researched examination of legal protection of databases, which offers a valuable template for reform that will be of great interest to academics and policymakers alike.’
– Tanya Aplin, European Intellectual Property Review