Your Position: 

Copyright registration involves the written works listed in Copyright Law; oral works; musical, dramatic, quyi, choreographic and acrobatic works; works of fine art and that of architecture; photographic works;cinematographic works and the works created in the similar means of producing movies; graphic works and model works including drawings of engineering designs and product designs, maps and schematics; other works as provided for in law and administrative rules and regulations. In addition, it still includes the registration of other related matters to copyright, that of authorization for different kinds of works (excluding computer software); that of sound and video recording products;

Registry of Works

For the purpose of safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of copyright owners and providing initial evidence to settle copyright disputes, there are “Provisional Measures on Voluntary Registration of Works”. As provided in the Provisional Measures, the Provincial Copyright Bureaus will be in charge of copyright registration of works created by the domestic authors. The National Copyright Administration shall be in charge of copyright registration of the works created by the authors from overseas, including Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau. Copyright registration certificate is a preliminary proof of copyright ownership in the works.

Term of Protection for Copyright Registration

1. The term of protection for the author’s personal rights including the right of authorship, the right of alternation, the right of integrity and the like shall not be unlimited.

2. The term of protection of the right of publication and the right of property provided in the Copyright Law in respect of a work of a citizen shall be the life time of the author and fifty years after his death. In the case of a work of joint authorship,such a term shall expire in the fiftieth year after the death of the last surviving author.

3. The term of protection of the right of publication and the right of property provided in the Copyright Law in respect of a work where the copyright belongs to a legal person or other organization,or in respect of a work created in the course of employment where the legal person or other organization enjoys the copyright (except the right of authorship), shall be fifty years, provided that any such work that has not been published within fifty years after the completion of its creation shall no longer be protected under this Law.

4. The term of protection of the right of publication and the right of property provided in the Copyright Law in respect of cinematographic works, the works created in the similar means of producing movies and photographic works shall be fifty years, provided that any such work that has not been published within fifty years after the completion of its creation shall no longer be protected under this Law.

Copyright Registration Process

Submit works-------Submit the power of attorney for copyright--------Submit the copies of business license and ID card--------Pay dues---------Accept application for registration--------Examine the application---------Issue the certificate (within two months).

The documents required on applying for registration of copyright:

(1) Application Form for Voluntary Registration of Works;

(2) The applicant’s certificate of identity (such as ID card, the business license or registration certificate of the company);

(3) Description of the work

(4) Affidavit of copyright ownership

(5) The certificates for ownership of copyright (such as the copies of cover or copyright page, the copies, photos or samples of some original manuscript or the agreement for ownership of copyright)

(6) Power of Attorney

Significance of Copyright Registration:

1. It can safeguard the author and work user’s legitimate rights and interests, conduce to the settlement of the disputes arising out of the ownership of copyright and provide initial evidence for settlement of copyright disputes;

2. It is beneficial to the licensing and transfer of works and software as well as the dissemination of software and realization of economic value;

3. It can reflect individual self-worth and show the innovative strength of enterprise;

4. The voluntary registration of works is carried out. No matter whether the works are registered, the author or other copyright owner can obtain the copyright legally, which shall not be influenced.