France

[FR] infringement of Planète channel's packaging

IRIS 1998-7:1/14

Charlotte Vier

Légipresse

The packaging of a channel aims to create a visual identity by which the viewer will recognise the channel's characteristics and this deserves to be legally protected. Planète channel--in the form of words that scroll horizontally and vertically on

In this case, the packaging of the the screen and cross at a right angle--constitute an intellectual work protected by copyright. The company TPS, operator of a bundle of channels and services transmitted by satellite since November 1996, provides a socalled welcome channel whose packaging also consists of words scrolling horizontally and vertically across the screen which cross at right angles. This scrolling of words is not found in any other programme credits and the differences between the two credits, notably in the colours and the speeded up pace, are not sufficient to erase the overall similarities which make up the infringement.