The expansion and strengthening of copyright protection should not ignore the dual purposes for establishment of copyright systems, namely, spurring authors’ creativity on the one hand and promoting development of culture and public interests on the other hand.

The research project discusses construction of copyright limitations and exceptions under the digital network environment from macro and micro perspectives to guarantee the public’s access to information and encourage cultural innovation. From macro perspective, the project researches on the principles of copyright limitations and exceptions under the digital network environment which should incorporate both flexibility and certainty.

From micro perspective, the project analyzes the circumstances concerning fair use of works under the digital network environment from aspects of access to information and cultural innovation. Exceptions from the aspect of access to information include: search of information (including thumbnails and snapshot), mass digitization and construction of digital libraries, and facilitation for visually impaired persons’ access to works. Exceptions from the aspect of cultural innovation include: encouragement of remix culture and user generated content, transformative use, and incidental use.