Legal Protection of Content Published on Social networks as an object of Intellectual Property

This article examines the legal aspects of protecting content published on social media as an object of intellectual property. The author explores the application of copyright law to user-generated digital content, including texts, photographs, and videos. It is emphasized that publishing works on social media does not automatically entail the loss of copyright, but rather implies granting the platform a non-exclusive license within the scope of its service functionality.

Common forms of copyright infringement on the internet are analyzed, along with possible legal remedies, including appeals to platform administrators or judicial authorities. Special attention is given to the high-profile “monkey selfie” case, which raised questions about the boundaries of copyright law and the possibility of recognizing animals as copyright holders.

The article also addresses international legal mechanisms for copyright protection, particularly the provisions of the Berne Convention and relevant European directives, highlighting the importance of adapting Ukrainian legislation to the challenges of the digital age. The author stresses the need to increase users’ legal awareness regarding copyright compliance on social media in order to ensure a fair balance of interests in the field of intellectual property.