China copyright registration is one of Tannet’s domestic intellectual property services. Registering copyright in a creative work or software program in China provides good protection in a variety of useful ways. It is advisable to register a copyright as soon as your creative product is completed. The possession of an official “copyright registration certificate” will save a lot of time and energy in the event of an infringement.
Q: Why do we need to apply for copyright registration?
(1) It is a preliminary proof of the registered information. Unless there is contrary evidence, the registered facts or deeds are deemed true;
(2) It can be used as a certificate of rights to guarantee transaction security in an assignment of a work/software or a licence for using a work/software;
(3) It can be taken as prima facie evidence in claiming damage to an infringer or in a litigation so as to efficiently lighten the burden of proof of the copyright owner and reduce the lawsuit cost;
(4) Copyright registration certificates can also be used as evidence to prove prior rights in trademark oppositions, trademark cancellations, and administrative proceedings, etc.
Q: Who can register copyright?
Copyright can be registered either by the author of the creative work (be this a natural person, a legal entity or an organization who created the work) or by other copyright owners who obtain the right through transfer or inheritance from the author. It is important to note that in the context of employment, the employee who creates a copyright in fulfilling his/her task assigned by the employer has the right of authorship (moral right), but the economic rights associated with the copyright belongs to the employer, so the registration shall be filed under the employer’s name.
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Q: Where can I register?
The National Copyright Administration of China (NCAC) authorized the Copyright Protection Centre of China (CPCC) to administrate computer software registration, and the registration of copyrighted works. Some Copyright Bureaus at the local level also have the right to register copyrights filed by local citizens or enterprises. Local policies may vary, and the local Copyright Bureaus may have various incentives and preferential policies.
Q: How long does it take to get the certificate?
Once the registration files are completed, the applicant will be provided with a receipt. The applicant should expect to receive the registration certificate around 30 working days after completing the application. In case where the documents are incomplete or clarifications are needed, the applicant will have an additional two month period to complete the procedure.
Contact Us
If you have further inquires, please do not hesitate to contact Tannet at anytime, anywhere by simply visiting Tannet’s website english.tannet-group.com, or calling Hong Kong hotline at 852-27826888 or China hotline at 86-755-82143422, or emailing to 2355735242@qq.com. You are also welcome to visit our office situated in 16/F, Taiyangdao Bldg 2020, Dongmen Rd South, Luohu, Shenzhen, China.
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