On June 13, the China-UK Seminar on Copyright was held in Beijing with the theme of China-UK Copyright Exchange and Cooperation under Digital Environment. It was co-hosted by the National Copyright Administration of China (NCAC), the UK Intellectual Property Office (IPO) and the British Embassy in China.

Copyright supervisors, experts and scholars from the UK and China shared the experience of copyright protection in the digital environment in both countries, and discussed such important issues as construction of the copyright system, copyright management and international cooperation. Yu Cike, Director General of Copyright Department of NCAC, said that the Chinese government has always attached great importance to copyright protection. Particularly in recent years, government departments have continuously increased efforts to crack down on infringement and piracy acts. NCAC, together with four ministries and departments such as the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), have carried out “Jianwang Campaign” to address Internet infringement and piracy for 12 consecutive years, which has achieved remarkable results. This year marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the UK and China . Over the years, NCAC and the UK Intellectual Property Office have maintained a good cooperative relationship. In 2010, the two sides signed the Memorandum of Understanding on China-UK Strategic Copyright Cooperation, and conducted high-level reciprocal visits, talent training and exchange activities under the framework of the memorandum. In the digital environment, the Chinese and British sides not only need to seek a new conceptual breakthrough and a new system design on the basis of the copyright system, but also use this vast space to continuously strengthen the copyright cooperation between the two countries.

Ros Lynch, Copyright and IP Enforcement Director, IPO, spoke highly of the achievements made by the Chinese government in combating infringement and piracy, and briefed the participants on the work of the UK in terms of law enforcement against Internet infringement. She said that at present, the UK has established a team of police to combat Internet infringement, and a team to address the issue of illegal set-top boxes and the issue of illegal online advertising from the source. In addition, coordination mechanisms with search engine service providers had been developed to enable them to better protect copyright.

During the seminar, the participants discussed the two issues of Law Enforcement and Judicial Protection for Copyright under Digital Environment and Copyright Issues of Broadcasting Organizations under Digital Environment. It was believed that the creative industry was very important for the economy of China and Britain, and only by ensuring the legitimate rights and interests of copyright owners were not infringed could we encourage and support the development of the creative industry. Government departments, right holders, collective management organizations and relevant judicial departments should more often carry out effective communication and cooperation, so that infringement acts could not hide, in order to better protect the rights of copyright holders and promote industrial development.

Source: China Press Publication Radio Film and Television Journal  

Update: June 15, 2017