Audiovisual Work Format as an Object of Copyrights in Russian and Foreign Legal Practice

In the article the author describes audiovisual work format, discusses doctrinal points of view on the protection of the result of intellectual activity as an object of intellectual property rights. Then the author analyzes the judicial practice of the Russian Federation and foreign countries dealing with recognition audiovisual work format as object of copyrights. On the basis of the analysis, the author offers rightholders a number of recommendations for protecting their audiovisual work formats, as well as recommendations for characterizing audiovisual work format as a type of copyrighted work (dramatic work, script work, etc.). Finally, in view of the present judicial practice, the author concludes on potentiality for the audiovisual work format to gain legal protection as an independent type of work (object of copyrights).