被誤讀的「思想／表述二分法」－－以法律修辭學為視角的考察

Idea-Expression Dichotomy Misred: A Legal Rhetorical Perspective

“思想／表述二分法”是著作權法中一項極富特色的裁判規則，它關乎的是成本收益的利益衡量與價值取捨，而不關乎思想與表達在事實層面是否可分，學界對此的解讀往往混淆了事實問題與價值問題，沒能揭示其扮演的真正角色及所發揮的修辭功能。作為一項價值法則，“思想／表述二分法”無法向我們提供統一普適的裁判標準，它依賴法官在個案中基於具體情勢自由裁量，正是法官的創造性努力，定紛止爭的目標才得以實現。Idea-expression dichotomy, a peculiar judging rule in copyright law, is involved with cost and proceeds rather than the issue whether idea and expression can be separated at factual stratum, while studying which scholars normally confuse fact and value problems resulting in the rule's genuine role and rhetorical function left unrevealed. As a value rule, idea-expression dichotomy is unable to offer us a general adjudication rule. As such judges' discretion is badly needed in specific cases and it is just the court's endeavor and initiative that disputes can be resolved.