Authors have the right to produce copies of their work such as printed matter, phonograms, audio visual fixations or data carriers (Art. 10 para. 2 (a) CopA), i.e. to reproduce their work.
There are many examples of reproduction: the classic example is the photocopy – a work is used to produce a photocopied copy of the work on paper (cf. Hilty, Urheberrecht, 2011, 133). For the reproduction, it is not important whether the copy of the work is reproduced on a physical object (e.g. on paper or a CD) or ‘immaterially’ as a digital copy saved on a medium (e.g. memory of a computer, USB stick). The medium itself also does not have to be ‘physical’ (e.g. cloud services). Internet uploading and downloading are therefore also acts of reproduction. The short-term or temporary storage of digital content, e.g. streaming where data is only stored in a memory temporarily, is also included.
⇒ Other examples:
Printing, producing copies of works or parts of works on plastic or other materials, scanning, faxing, screening (with a retro projector or a projector connected to a computer, etc.), opening a file on the screen, e.g. a PDF or an image file, reproducing an MP3 file, uploading, downloading (Internet and intranet), browsing, caching, linking, embedding, etc.
Generally speaking, only authors or owners of rights (if the right of reproduction has been assigned) may copy a work. But not every act of reproduction by other parties is prohibited – the copyright law provides limiting provisions (or statutory licences) that allow the exceptional use of protected published works (e.g. private use, private use for educational purposes, and professional use, Art. 19 para. 1 CopA or temporary copies Art. 24a CopA).
FAQ
Yes, this is reproduction pursuant to Art. 10 para. 2 (a) CopA. Files are called up on the Internet and saved on the computer. A copy of the file (=reproduction) has therefore been made on the computer. Although such files are usually only copied temporarily, e.g. the data is copied to the computer’s memory during the download and deleted again when the user leaves the website, they can also be saved permanently so that they can be called up again later. In this regard, Art. 24a CopA governs the admissibility of temporary copies.
Yes, the template does not necessarily have to be the original; a reproduction (copy) – even an unauthorised copy – can be used as the template (cf. Hilty, Urheberrecht, 2011, 133).
Yes, a photo is a copy of the work.
No, in both cases, a copy of the work is recorded – for analogue photos by the negative (cf. Hilty, Urheberrecht, 2011, 134) and for digital photos by the fact that the photo file is saved.
Art. 27 CopA – according to this provision, a work permanently situated in a place accessible to the public may be depicted; the depiction may be offered, sold, broadcast or otherwise distributed
