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In the Internet era, the protection of intellectual property is without doubt a major challenge that must be faced, not only by areas of industry that lose turnover worldwide due to infringements of existing copyright, but also by creative artists, policy makers and the civil society.

Music, films, literature, photography, journalism and other works are the cultural treasures that define, underpin and form our common life as a society. Copyright infringements and so-called Internet piracy thus inflict serious damage not only on the economy but also on culture and hence onto society.

However, in the digital era the survival of many jobs worldwide also depend on copyright being enforced. Thus many companies that rely by their nature on sales of their products have their survival endangered by software, music and film piracy and similar forms of copyright infringement.

Proportionality, active protection of rights and the creation of legal alternatives

Although the figures published by lobbying organizations for the damage caused by Internet piracy may be regarded as a considerable overestimate, it is appropriate, in combating online copyright infringement, to take into account the principle of proportionality. It is very important to maintain the balance between the economic interests of the copyright owner with the creative influence of the author, the interests of the consumer, and civil rights.

Misdirected warning campaigns, which are also costly for their recipients and which sometimes focus on the actions of children and young people, act against their own target groups, may result in harm to the image of copyright owners, manufacturers and indeed artists, and ultimately lead once more to losses in revenue.

Therefore, naiin works for the balance described above between the various interests, and is drafting measures based on this principle for the prevention of copyright infringements on the Internet. As part of this effort, naiin advises copyright owners how to effectively protect their intellectual property in the Internet age. Additionally, naiin is working with Internet providers and copyright owners to create strategies for combating online piracy efficiently while adhering to the principle of proportionality.

It is also important to encourage copyright owners to counter the illegal offering of creative works online by providing legal and attractive alternatives. It has to be said that the availability of legal material in many areas is still insufficient.