Las licencias de uso de bienes digitales: El difícil equilibrio entre los titulares de los derechos y los usuarios (Licence for Use of Digital Works: The Difficult Balance Between Right-holders and Users)

Abstract

This article examines the new legal figure of licensing of use of digital works from the perspective of Spanish doctrine and jurisprudence, attempting to find the elusive balance between users and right-holders. Of particular interest is the existence of extra-contractual obligations arising from the use of the licensed work, and how that may generate conflict and imbalance to users. The article analyses the problems of contract formation for Civil jurisdictions present in the practice of shrink-wrap and click-wrap agreements, and seeks solutions in consumer-protection legislation at European level.