China Copyright Protection Services
Hotline: 86-755-82143410, Email:info@citilinkia.com
Copyright protects works such as written material, music, photographs, audio-visual works, graphics, architectural works and computer software.
Process for the copyright registration
Copyright registration in China is administered by the Copyright Protection Centre of China (CPCC). Applicants begin the application process by completing the copyright registration application form and mailing the application materials to CPCC. After receiving the application, the CPCC will review the application materials, determine the application fee, and notify the applicant. After the applicant pays the application fee, the applicant will receive a notice of receipt of payment and notice of application acceptance. After acceptance, the examination of the application takes approximately 30 working days to complete. After the successful completion of the examination, the applicant will receive a Copyright Registration Certificate. An applicant may create a user account on http://www.ccopyright.com.cn, complete the copyright registration application form online, then print and sign/seal the application form. Applicants must submit by mail the completed application form, the identification documents of the applicant, any documents of copyright ownership such as commission, succession, license, or assignment agreements, samples of the work, and a brief description of the work to the CPCC. The brief description of the work should describe the creative intent embodied in the work, the process by which the work was created, that the work is original, able to be reproduced, and meets the legal requirements of a protectable tangible expression.
Copyright holders may apply directly for copyright registration or entrust an agent to apply on their behalf. Where an agent is used, the agent must additionally submit his or her identification documents and a Power of Attorney from the copyright holder.
Time
Applications for copyright registration are within 30 days after the CPCC accepts the application or if supplemental materials are required, within 30 days of receipt of the supplemental materials. However, registration may be delayed if registration fees are not paid within 10 days of receipt of the notice for payment.
Fees
Registration application fees vary depending on the type of work. There are separate fees for changes, amendments, cancellations, additional certificates, etc.
There are no periodic fees for maintaining a copyright registration. The fees shown in the chart below are official fees. Agents will charge agency fees if you engage them to assist in the process.
How long does my copyright protection last?
The period of copyright protection is generally 50 years from the date of creation or publication, or in the case of individuals, the lifetime of the author plus 50 years.
How is copyright ownership determined?
A copyright of a work belongs to its creator, or the employer of the author. Protected creative acts include those intellectual activities that directly result in the creation of the work. Acts of support such as rendering services or material or financial resources are not considered creative acts. For example, if you provide only managerial support to the creation of a work, you will not be considered an author of the work. If it is expected that a copyright be licensed, transferred, or used as an in-kind contribution to registered capital for the establishment of a legal entity in China, you must clearly determine the ownership of the copyright. Without evidence to the contrary, the person or entity whose name appears on the work is considered the author of the work.
Contact us
For further queries, please do not hesitate to contact ATAHK at anytime, anywhere by simply calling China hotline at 86-755-82148419, 86-755-82143512 or emailing to info@citilinkia.com.