Eikopiointisääntö

Eikopiointisääntö refers to a Finnish legal principle that generally prohibits the copying of certain protected works without authorization. This principle is primarily enshrined in Finnish copyright law, which aims to protect the rights of creators and encourage artistic and intellectual production. The rule applies to a wide range of creative works, including literary texts, musical compositions, artistic creations, and software.

The core idea behind eikopiointisääntö is that the creator or rights holder of a work possesses exclusive rights to control its reproduction. This means that without permission, others cannot make copies of the work, whether for personal use, commercial distribution, or any other purpose that falls outside the scope of legally defined exceptions.

Finnish copyright law does, however, include certain exceptions and limitations to this general prohibition. These exceptions are designed to balance the rights of creators with the public interest in accessing and using creative works. Common exceptions might include the right to make private copies for personal use under specific conditions, the use of short excerpts for quotation or criticism, or the reproduction of works for educational or research purposes. The precise scope and application of these exceptions are detailed within the relevant legislation and are subject to interpretation by courts. Eikopiointisääntö, therefore, represents the fundamental principle of copyright protection, while exceptions provide defined circumstances where copying may be permissible.