Adjustments to the copyrights law
Legal Adjustment. To adapt to the evolution of the domestic publishing industry, the requirements of the international book trade, and the new situation confronted after ratification of the Convention, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress in February 2010 revised relevant provisions of the Copyright Law of the People's Republic of China, following which in March 2011 the State Council amended the Regulations on Publication and the Regulations on Audio and Visual Products. The following laws and regulations have been newly formulated since 2008: Administrative Measures for the Producing of Audio and Visual Products (February 2008), Regulations for the Publishing of Electronic Publications (February 2008), Regulations for Publishing Books (February 2008), Administrative Measures on Copying (June 2009), Regulations for the Publishing Market (March 2011) and Administrative Measures on the Import of Audio and Visual Products (April 2011). China is currently formulating a Law on the Promotion of the Film Industry.
Under the guidance of various national policies and the Development Plan during the 11th Five-year Plan for Press and Publication formulated by the General Administration of Press and Publication in 2006, the types and number of publications in China have been at unprecedentedly high levels for 3 consecutive years. The total output of the press and publication in 2010 was 1.27 trillion Yuan representing over 60% of the core segment of the domestic cultural industry in terms of added value. China currently ranks first worldwide by circulation of daily newspapers, with 25 Chinese dailies among the world’s top 100. For books, the volume and number of types of books published in China both rank first worldwide; China accounts for 3 of the 10 books with an accumulative print volume of more than 20 million copies over five years. From 2006 to 2010, China printed a cumulative total of 33.97 billion copies of 1.386 million book titles, double the figures of the previous five years. Chinese journalists are present in every corner of the world and exchange news with over 170 countries and regions daily. In 2011, 295 screenings of Chinese films took place at 82 overseas film festivals, while 52 domestic Chinese movies went on commercial run in 22 overseas countries and regions.
In June 2008, the State Council issued the National Strategic Guidelines for Intellectual Property, which clearly state that a comprehensive system is to be established for the protection of traditional knowledge. To this end the State Intellectual Property Office has promulgated a Pilot Project Working Plan for Intellectual Property Protection of Traditional Knowledge (Trial Implementation). Relevant pilot work has been conducted in a total of 17 counties (cities and districts), divided into three groups. The pilot work has been proved effective in improving the building of a legal and regulatory system for intellectual property relating to traditional knowledge, a comprehensive appraisal index system, and the formation, on the back of traditional resources, of locally distinctive and newly-emerging industries.
The Chinese government has, for six times, abolished or delegated to local governments examination and approval powers for various items on the cultural market since 2006, helping form a good environment for the development and expansion of cultural enterprises.