The Transformative Use of User-Generated Content: Discovering the Fine Line Between Permitted Use and Copyright Infringement from a Malaysian Perspective

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32890/uumjls2025.16.1.4

Keywords:

Transformative use, user-generated content, copyright, copyright infringement, permitted use, exceptions

Abstract

User-generated content or more commonly known as UGC has revolutionized the digital landscape by allowing individuals to create, share, and engage with various forms of copyrighted content across digital platforms. This paradigm shift in content creation and distribution has introduced new challenges in copyright law concerning the transformative use of copyrighted work. Balancing the exclusive rights of the right holder as a content creator and copyright user and the interests of society has become increasingly complex in the face of rapid digital innovation and creative expression. Determining whether the transformative use of copyrighted material qualifies as permitted use under the Copyright Act 1987 within copyright exceptions requires careful consideration of the existing legal framework. Hence, this article aims to explore the ability of the current legal framework to identify the fine line between permitted transformative use and copyright infringement in relation to user-generated content. The results demonstrate that the existing legal scheme does not provide permitted use for transformative use of works without the consent of right holders. This article also seeks to discover the possibility of alternative approaches that could effectively resolve the issues related to the transformative use of user-generated content within the existing legal framework. The outcome of this article is to contribute to a broader discussion surrounding the issues of transformative work and user-generated content.

Author Biographies

  • Mohd Syaufiq Abdul Latif, Faculty of Law, Universiti Kebangsaan

    Mr. Syaufiq currently the Assistant Director of Copyright Division, Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO). He assists the Director of Copyright division and Copyright Controller in monitoring copyright legislation, regulations as well as responsible to ensure effective compliance for Copyright Act 1987 in Malaysia.

    He holds a double Bachelor of Law and Bachelor of Laws (Shariah) from International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) in 2013. He then acquired his Master of Laws (Shariah) (MA) in University of Malaya (UM) in 2018. On 5th December 2014, he was called to the Malaysian BAR as an advocate and Solicitor of Malaya. Currently, he is pursuing a PhD Copyright Law, Digital Law in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM).

    Mr Syaufiq has been actively involved in copyright and related rights developments in the Asia Pacific region by attending various seminar, workshops and negotiations domestically and internationally. He also involved as a speaker in domestic and regional conferences, talks and meetings. For the past few years, he actively engaged with copyright-based industry in helping them to create, develop and increase Copyright and Related Rights awareness as well as advocating many copyright and related rights issues for better and clear understanding.

  • Nazura Abdul Manap, Faculty of Law, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

    Experienced Professor of Law with a demonstrated history of working in the higher education industry. Specialised in Intellectual Property and Information Technology. Strong education professional with a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) focused in Law from International Islamic University of Malaysia.

  • Nabeel Mahdi Althabawi, Faculty of Law, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

    Nabeel M. Althabhawi was born in Iraq in 1975. He studied law at the University of Babylon between 1993 and 2001 when he obtained LLB in Law and LLM in private law. He obtained his PhD from the Faculty of Law at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) in 2013. He taught at the University of Kufa in Iraq before he joined The Faculty of Law at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). He has multiple publications in Arabic and English in Cyber Law, Patent Law, and Jurisprudence.

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Published

31-01-2025

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Vol. 16 No. 1 (2025): UUM Journal of Legal Studies (UUMJLS) Vol. 16(1), Jan 2025

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Abdul Latif, M. S., Abdul Manap, N., & Althabawi, N. M. (2025). The Transformative Use of User-Generated Content: Discovering the Fine Line Between Permitted Use and Copyright Infringement from a Malaysian Perspective. UUM Journal of Legal Studies, 16(1), 54-69. https://doi.org/10.32890/uumjls2025.16.1.4

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Identifiers DOI 10.32890/uumjls2025.16.1.4 OpenAlex W4407608779 Scopus 85217957104

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