E-Thesis 293 views
Application of geo-blocking to copyright-protected digital products: In-depth analysis and policy recommendations for EU policy-makers / Fatmanur Cebeci Corum
Swansea University Author: Fatmanur Cebeci Corum
DOI (Published version): 10.23889/SUthesis.68852
Abstract
This thesis examines the practice of geo-blocking, which can be defined as the restriction of access to a digital product on the Internet based on the user’s geographical location. With the increased use of the Internet, particularly the growing consumption of digital products, the issue of geo-bloc...
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Swansea, Wales, UK
2025
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| Institution: | Swansea University |
| Degree level: | Doctoral |
| Degree name: | Ph.D |
| Supervisor: | Davies, Arwel ; Davies, Lowri |
| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa68852 |
| Abstract: |
This thesis examines the practice of geo-blocking, which can be defined as the restriction of access to a digital product on the Internet based on the user’s geographical location. With the increased use of the Internet, particularly the growing consumption of digital products, the issue of geo-blocking has become more prominent and integrated into daily life. This study analyses geo-blocking practices under the European Union copyright law, focusing specifically on the Geo-blocking Regulation. Although the Geo-blocking Regulation aimed to resolve the issue of cross-border access to online products, it did not cover copyright-protected products. Consequently, copyright-protected digital products within the European Union may still be subject to geo-blocking, despite the goal of creating a Digital Single Market in the European Union. The geo-blocking debate is examined from various perspectives, exploring the most balanced approach that would support the proper functioning of the European Union internal market while respecting the interests of copyright holders, other rightsholders and users. This study assesses the need to include copyright-protected products within the scope of the Geo-blocking Regulation. To do so, it delves into the copyright law aspects of geo-blocking, particularly territorial licensing, the existing European Union legal framework regarding cross-border access to digital products, the competition law implications of this issue, and the circumvention of geo-blocking measures. In its final analysis, the study concludes that including copyright-protected digital products within the scope of the Geo-blocking Regulation would benefit users, copyrights holders, and the internal market’s proper functioning, albeit with certain limitations. |
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| Item Description: |
ORCiD identifier: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2629-0320 |
| Keywords: |
Geo-blocking, copyright, digital access, cross-border access, European Union |
| College: |
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences |