Copyright registration in China is administered by the Copyright Protection Centre of China (CPCC). While not compulsory, getting a copyright registration in China can offer many benefits to IP owners. Many China-based e-commerce platforms have adopted a notice-and-take-down programme. Many of these programs require the proof of IP rights in order to take infringing offers down. Again, having a Chinese copyright registration makes the tasks much easier for both the e-commerce platform operator and the copyright owner.
Brief introduction to copyright in China
Copyright refers to the rights to which the creator of a specific work (which has to be an original creation) is entitled to. Copyright is designated to protect any form of intellectual property, which can be represented by photographs, music and other types of intellectual creations which are the result of a person’s intellectual work.
Businessmen who represent companies that may produce any type of intellectual property are advised to protect the creation against third parties infringements. The copyright legislation allows the protection of the work, ensuring that the respective work can’t be copied or used by other parties in order to obtain financial gains; our Chinese lawyers can provide more information on this matter.
What can be registered?
A copyright registration in China can cover all copyrightable subject matters under the Chinese copyright law. For instance, we have helped clients obtain copyright registrations for the following types of copyright work:
Artwork (including logo marks);
Books, printed matter and other literary works;
Audio-visual works;
Musical works;
In-app or in-program user interfaces;
Website layout;
Computer software;
Product packaging design;
Works of applied art, e.g. certain toy/furniture designs.
Required information for registration
In order to apply for a copyright registration in China, the following documents are required:
(1) Application form, which shall be filled through the online system of CPCC;
(2) Sample of the work/source program of the software;
(3) Description of the work/instructions of the software in Chinese;
(4) Proof of identity of applicant. If the applicant is an individual, a copy of the ID or passport shall be provided; if the applicant is an entity, a copy of the certificate of incorporation/business registration shall be provided;
(5) Proof of ownership, such as a copy of the contract between the author and the applicant in the case that the author is not the copyright owner, or other relevant documents, such as a statement made by the author; and
(6) Power of attorney, which shall be provided if the copyright registration is filed through an agent.
Validity of copyright registration
Once registered, the copyright registration will last until the expiry of that copyright in the registered work under Chinese copyright law. Generally speaking, the copyright duration is the life of the author plus 50 years.
Contact Us
If you have any inquiries, working or doing business in China, 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 86-755-82143512, 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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