COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT IN THE DIGITAL AGE: THE CASE FOR REFORM TO KAZAKHSTAN’S COPYRIGHT LAWS
1. Introduction. – 2. Methodology. – 3. Copyright infringement. – 3.1. Copyright infringement in cyberspace. – 4. Legal framework for copyright protection: international and Kazakhstani perspectives. – 4.1. International legal response for online copyright infringement. – 4.2. ISP liability rules in the US. – 4.3. ISP liability rules in the UK. – 4.4. ISP liability rules in Ukraine. – 4.5. Kazakhstan. – 5. Conclusion.
Abstract
Background: The rapid digitalisation of copyrighted materials and the creation of new digital
products pose significant challenges to copyright law in the era of globalisation. Digitisation
has revolutionised access to information by converting it into a digital format, thus making it
easier for anyone who surfs the internet to reproduce and share data. However, new
technologies have also resulted in illegal activities such as online copyright infringement. That
being the case, the development of digital technologies requires new relevant approaches and
provisions from the national copyright law of Kazakhstan to handle copyright infringement
on the internet. It could be argued that the current legislation cannot handle legal issues
related to copyright, especially the responsibility of internet service providers (ISPs) for the
violation of the copyright. This article aims to identify shortcomings in the legal regulation of
ISPs in the Republic of Kazakhstan and to offer recommendations for improving legislation
in this area. The novelty of the paper lies in Kazakhstan’s legislation, lacking regulation on
the legal status of ISPs and their role in protecting copyright on the internet. By comparing
Kazakh legislative developments with practices in the US, UK, and Ukraine, the paper
provides insights into potential reforms for better handling digital copyright infringement.
Methods: This paper applies several research methods, including systemic, comparative legal,
and historical legal analysis. The primary focus is on examining the legislation and case law
of the US, UK and Ukraine regarding copyright issues to enhance Kazakhstan’s existing
legislative framework.
Results and conclusions: This article argues that national acts of Kazakhstan on copyright
were obsolete before the advancement of digital technologies and therefore, need to be updated
to keep pace with modern technologies.
About Authors
Aronov Ansagan
LLM, PhD candidate, Senior Lecturer of the Department of International Law, Maqsut
Narikbayev University, Republic of Kazakhstan.
an_aronov@kazguu.kz
Corresponding author, responsible for conceptualization, formal analysis, methodology
and supervision.
Sara Idrysheva
Doctor of Law, Professor Emeritus of the Department of Private law, Maqsut Narikbayev
University, Republic of Kazakhstan.
s.idrysheva@kazguu.kz
Co-author, responsible for investigation and writing – review & editing.
Competing interests: No competing interests were disclosed.
Disclaimer: The author declares that his opinion and views expressed in this manuscript are
free of any impact of any organizations.
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Publication history
-
Date of submission: 23 Jan 2024
Date of acceptance: 26 Aug 2024
Date of Online First publication: 21 Sep 2024
Date of publication: 15 Nov 2024
Whether the manuscript was fast tracked? - No
Number of reviewer report submitted in first round: 3 reports
Number of revision rounds: 2 rounds, revised version submitted 21 Jul 2024
How to cite it?
-
Aronov А and Idrysheva S, ‘Copyright Infringement in the Digital Age: The Case for Reform to Kazakhstan’s Copyright Laws’ (2024) 7(4) Access to Justice in Eastern Europe 242-66 <https://doi.org/10.33327/AJEE-18-7.4-a000110>
