The Legal Protection of Personal Images Shared on Social Networks in Australia

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The Legal Protection of Personal Images Shared on Social Networks in Australia The Legal Protection of Personal Images Shared on Social Networks in Australia Author Georgiades, Eugenia Published 2017 Thesis Type Thesis (PhD Doctorate) School Griffith Law School DOI https://doi.org/10.25904/1912/3656 Copyright Statement The author owns the copyright in this thesis, unless stated otherwise. Downloaded from http://hdl.handle.net/10072/367723 Griffith Research Online https://research-repository.griffith.edu.au The Legal Protection of Personal Images Shared on Social Networks in Australia Eugenia Georgiades Bachelor of Arts (Hons), Bachelor of Laws, Graduate Diploma Legal Practice, Master of Laws School of Law, Griffith University This thesis is submitted in fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy December 2016 ii Abstract Social networks have changed the nature of communication in the modern world: they have changed how people communicate, the frequency and mode of communication, and how people relate to those communications. Social networks have also changed the type of information that is communicated. One of the notable developments has been a proliferation of the sharing of images that people have taken themselves. From the ubiquitous selfie through to group shots, personal images are now a key part of modern social communication. A number of problems have arisen as a consequence of the rapid increase in the sharing of personal images online. This is because personal images uploaded online are, more now than ever, prone to misuse. Third parties are easily able to reuse, distort and alter images that are uploaded on social networks. As a result, people are at risk of losing control over the images that they upload online. The aim of this thesis is to critically examine the ways in which Australian law protects personal images that are shared on social networks. It also aims to suggest ways in which the law in this area might be improved. Focusing on intellectual property (and related laws), Part I looks at the way that images are currently protected under Australian law, showing that while there is some legal protection for images uploaded on social networking sites, the protection is inadequate. Part II explores some changes that could be implemented to improve the protection of personal images in Australia. In particular, Part II looks at the possibility of expanding the scope of privacy law and of incorporating image rights and a right to be forgotten into Australian law. This is followed by a brief conclusion that looks at other possible initiatives, such as criminalising the publication of sexual images online to prevent revenge porn. iii Statement of Originality This work has not previously been submitted for a degree or diploma in any university. To the best of my knowledge and belief, the thesis contains no material previously published or written by another person, except where due reference is made in the thesis itself. (Signed)______________________________________ Eugenia Georgiades Acknowledgements I would like to thank my supervisors, Brad Sherman, Leanne Wiseman and Allan Ardill, for their support throughout the thesis. I would also like to thank Jay Sanderson. I thank Pernilla White for providing editorial assistance, in particular for formatting and proofing chapters of the thesis. I would like to thank Susan Jarvis for her assistance in the final edit of the thesis, specifically for formatting and proofreading. iv Contents Abstract .............................................................................................................................................. iii Statement of Originality ................................................................................................................ iv Acknowledgements ......................................................................................................................... iv Part I Existing Legal Protection for Personal Images on Social Networks in Australia .............................................................................................................................................. 1 Chapter 1 ............................................................................................................................................. 3 Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 3 1.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................ 3 1.2 Changes Bought About By Social Network Sites .................................................................................. 7 1.3 Why should we protect personal images? ........................................................................................ 13 1.4 Balancing competing interests ................................................................................................................... 21 1.5 Overview ........................................................................................................................................................... 23 1.5 Existing Scholarship On Social Networks, Image Rights And The Law ................................... 25 1.6 Overview of Social Networks .................................................................................................................... 27 Chapter 2 Terms of Use, Personal Images and Social Networks ................................... 34 2.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................... 34 2.2 Licensing and Ownership of Personal Images ................................................................................... 36 2.2.1 Facebook .................................................................................................................................................. 37 2.2.2 Twitter ....................................................................................................................................................... 39 2.2.3 Instagram ................................................................................................................................................. 40 2.3 Collection of Images ...................................................................................................................................... 41 2.3.1 Facebook .................................................................................................................................................. 41 2.3.2 Twitter ....................................................................................................................................................... 44 2.3.3 Instagram ................................................................................................................................................. 45 2.4 Use of Images ................................................................................................................................................... 48 2.4.1 Facebook .................................................................................................................................................. 48 2.4.2 Twitter ....................................................................................................................................................... 50 2.4.3 Instagram ................................................................................................................................................. 51 2.5 Sharing and Disclosing ................................................................................................................................ 51 2.5.1 Facebook .................................................................................................................................................. 52 2.5.2 Twitter ....................................................................................................................................................... 56 2.5.3 Instagram ................................................................................................................................................. 56 v 2.6 Termination ..................................................................................................................................................... 58 2.7 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................................................ 59 Chapter 3 .......................................................................................................................................... 60 Copyright, personal images on social networks ................................................................. 60 3.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................... 60 3.2 Ownership ........................................................................................................................................................ 64 3.2.1.1 Camera Ownership ................................................................................................................................ 65 3.2.1.2 Directing, Arranging and Controlling a Scene ............................................................................ 66 3.2.1.3 Where There
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