Summary

 

The main aim of this thesis is to clarify the issue of copyright law in the field of cartography and geographic information systems (GIS). Among the sub-goals of this thesis there belong definition of the legislative framework for the field of cartography and GIS in the Czech Republic, defining of non-legislative aspects such as historical or ethical issues, assessment of practical and legal protection of author’s law applied to cartographic products and GIS products in the Czech Republic and case studies focusing to most common violation of copyright in this field.

This work is standing on the borderline between legal science (jurisprudence) and the natural sciences and in some cases, technical sciences – cartography and geoinformatics. To realize the stated objectives of work, especially to clarify the issue of copyright law in the field of geographic information systems and cartography, there was needed knowledge of both disciplines.

The first part is carried out searches of the current state of situation in the area of author’s law in the field of cartography and GIS; especially this part of work has been realized based on literary publications. There are defined the characteristics of copyright, the definition of basic concepts and historical context from which the problem originates. The next part is a comparison of approaches to copyright issues abroad and there is characterized the legislative framework for copyright law in the Czech Republic, especially with applications in the field of cartography and GIS.

In the application of copyright law and other legislation relating to copyright there was realised research in addition to publishing sources, including existing legislation, notably the Czech Republic legislative and works of Telec (1997), Madar (1999), Kříž et al. (2001), Komárek (2010) and others.

In the experimental part of this work, there are defined the specific examples – case studies. These cases relate to the use of cartographic products and the geographic information system in the comparison with current legislation. They are commented where there are conflicts with copyright law or where are violated only a matter of ethical-moral principles or socio-cultural rules.

Discussion suggests concrete ways to solve certain problems and can become as an inspiration for legislative adjustments to existing copyright laws.