Copyright
Cracking the Code: How to Actually Win a Software Piracy Lawsuit in China Without Losing Your Mind or Your Source Code
Imagine finding out that your company main software—its key intellectual property—is being openly pirated, cracked, and sold on Chinese online marketplaces at a fraction of its true worth. For many international tech firms, this isn’t just a hypothetical situation; it’s an everyday challenge. The immediate reaction is often frustration, followed by a rush to send […]
Understanding the Chinese Legal Framework for Software Copyright Infringement: A Guide to Standing and Jurisdictional Requirements for Foreign Rights Holders_Part I
The modern software industry faces a fundamental contradiction between the high costs of development and the minimal costs of copying. Creating software requires significant capital and intensive intellectual effort from specialized professionals over long periods. In contrast, duplicating software demands almost no technical skill and incurs nearly zero additional cost. This contrast makes software especially […]
The Critical Importance of Copyright Registration in China for Foreign Enterprises
Although China is a member of international agreements that provide automatic copyright protection, relying solely on these treaties can be risky. For companies involved in the Chinese market, obtaining an official Copyright Registration Certificate from the Copyright Protection Center of China (CPCC) is not just a formality but a vital strategic advantage. This certificate is […]
The Strategic Significance of Software Copyright Registration Archives in China
Executive Summary For international software companies who want to enter the Chinese market, success depends on more than just a strong business plan—it requires a comprehensive approach to protecting intellectual property. While obtaining a Software Copyright Registration Certificate is a common procedural step, the significance of the related registration archive is often overlooked. With the […]
A Strategic Guide for Overseas Software Copyright Owners in Chinese Litigation
For foreign software copyright holders, particularly those from the United States and Europe, China represents a vast market filled with opportunities, yet it also poses significant legal challenges. The prevalent unauthorized use of software—ranging from corporate users installing unlicensed copies to organized piracy networks—necessitates a comprehensive understanding of how to effectively enforce intellectual property rights […]
China Music Industry: Understanding Copyright Ownership, Re-recording, and Statutory Licenses
I. Introduction: The Worldwide Battle Over Masters The recent high-profile conflict between G.E.M. (Deng Ziqi) and her former management company has caused significant waves in the Asian entertainment scene. Central to this dispute is a situation familiar to industry watchers globally: an artist attempting to re-record their own songs to escape the control of a […]
Introducing a New Era of Design Protection in China’s Jewelry Market
From Administrative Actions to Criminal Enforcement: Enhancing Jewelry Protection China’s intellectual property enforcement is undergoing a major shift that redefines artistic protection and reflects a more mature legal system for creative industries. For years, international brands in China struggled to protect their industrial designs, often relying on administrative seizures that only temporarily disrupted counterfeiters, leaving […]
Exploring the Digital Frontier: Legal Guide for International Creators in China’s Emerging New Media Environment
Introduction: The TikTok Refugee Movement and the Emergence of a New Digital Opportunity Recent developments surrounding TikTok in the United States have sparked an unexpected and intriguing shift in digital user demographics. In January 2025, the potential ban of TikTok’s service in the U.S. led to a significant migration of American users seeking alternative platforms. […]
A Tactical Guide to Fighting Against Copycats on Chinese E-commerce
Last week just before the Christmas holidays a Norwegian SME client has discovered counterfeit replicas of their products being sold on Chinese websites. Given that the client is seeking a prompt, effective, and cost-efficient solution rather than incurring high legal fees, how can we best address and resolve this e-commerce infringement issue? I. Protective Stronghold […]
Navigating Celebrity Portrait Rights in China
A recent inquiry from a client at a leading film production company highlighted a critical issue: How can the unique persona of a star character be protected within the film itself? This question moves beyond the simple use of a heads hot, touching upon the very essence of how a celebrity commercial value is created […]
When the Shield Breaks: The New Age of Internet Liability
In recent years I have witnessed a significant and crucial transformation in the digital world. Core internet services—such as CDN acceleration, DNS resolution, and development frameworks—have traditionally operated under the principle of technical neutrality. This principle has long protected these infrastructure providers from being held directly responsible for the content they help deliver. They were […]
China’s First Case Involving AI-Generated Voice Infringement
Introduction: The Emerging Landscape of AI Voice Rights Protection The swift progress of artificial intelligence has dramatically changed the ways we create, share, and consume digital content. One of the most revolutionary developments is AI voice synthesis technology, which allows for the creation of highly realistic, human-like voices from text input. While this technology holds […]
Exploring the Groundbreaking Case of China First Virtual Digital Human IP Dispute: Insights and Industry Impact
Recently, the Beijing Internet Court delivered its first-instance verdict in China inaugural copyright infringement case related to virtual digital humans. This groundbreaking ruling marks a significant step forward in protecting intellectual property rights for digital humans in China. It provides crucial legal clarity for international companies involved in virtual digital human projects within the Chinese […]
Overview of Challenges and Solutions in IP Protection of Furniture Design
In the world of upholstered furniture, crafting pieces with unique flair hinges not just on premium materials like leather and fabric, but also on the artistry embedded in detailed design blueprints. Yet, amid fierce battles in the raw materials arena, some suppliers take a darker path—snatching original design sketches without permission. These stolen designs are […]
Springer Takes on Yingke Qianxin : A Pivotal Battle Redefining Copyright in Digital Age
In today digital landscape, where content sharing is widespread and complex, the recent legal dispute between Springer Nature Limited and Beijing Yingke Qianxin Technology Co., Ltd. marks a significant development in copyright law. This case, which progressed through China judicial system from initial trial to final appeal, not only resolved a conflict between a leading […]
Groundbreaking Court Ruling: Setting the Standard for AI Platform Responsibility in Copyright Violations Through LoRA Models
Case Background The Hangzhou Internet Court recently adjudicated a pivotal copyright dispute concerning an AI platform enabling users to train and distribute LoRA models derived from protected Ultraman imagery. This ruling establishes critical boundaries for generative AI service providers’ legal responsibilities when facilitating user-generated content that implicates third-party intellectual property. Technical Functionality & Alleged Infringement […]
Landmark Ruling in CPU Architecture Dispute: Beijing Court Clears LoongSon of MIPS Violation Charges
Following a four-year legal dispute, the Beijing IP Court ruled recently that Loongson Technology’s 3A5000 processor does not infringe upon MIPS Technologies’ chip architecture intellectual property rights. Background Information On June 2, 2021, Shanghai Cipunited Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd (“Cipunited”), affiliated with MIPS China, released a statement on its official website addressing claims circulating on […]
Chinese Courts Applying Unfair Competition Laws to Protect AI Models
AI models comprise their structure and parameters. The structure includes the arrangement and quantity of components, while the parameters are specific values obtained through training and optimization. In March 2025, the Beijing Intellectual Property Court made a landmark ruling in the Douyin v. B612 case, marking the first time AI model structure parameters were protected […]
Virtual Property in Online Gaming: A Look at Chinese Legislation
Virtual property generated within online gaming environments is represented as data within a designated digital space. Given its intrinsic value, capacity to meet user demands, legal recognition, and manageability, it is categorized as a distinct form of property that can be exchanged under certain conditions. As such, it possesses attributes akin to property interests. According to Article 2 […]
Influence of Emotional AI APP on Conventional Tort Liability Assessment
This article, originally published in Chinese in Issue 10 of China Judgments in 2025, is authored by He Zhuolan, who holds the position of Assistant Judge at the Judicial Administration Office of the Guangzhou Internet Court. Emotional artificial intelligence (referred to as “emotional AI”) encompasses AI applications that facilitate emotional interactions with users and offer psychological […]