Abstract

The research investigated definition, scope and feature of digital contents in order to discuss legal protection of digital contents. The protection law and current trend of protection of digital contents in United States of America, EU and Japan were examined. As the law which protects digital contents in Korea. the contents and characteristics, etc. of copyright act of Korea and online digital contents industry development act were examined and analyzed. And then relationship of digital contents and copyright, namely, the relationship of database and copyright, relationship of digital contents by translation. arrangement, alteration, dramatization, cinematization, etc. of an original work and copyright; relationship of other digital contents and copyright; relationship of file sharing of digital contents and copyright, were examined and copyright issues were discussed in library. And also the research suggested concretely necessary countermeasure of copyright which the library must take. Finally, this paper suggested the improvement direction for legal protection of digital contents we must aim ultimately.