On June 4, the 2019 China-ROK Copyright Seminar themed on “China-South Korea Copyright Exchange and Cooperation in a Digitalized Environment” was held in Chengdu City, Sichuan Province. The seminar was co-organized by National Copyright Administration (NCAC) of the People’s Republic of China and Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) of the Republic of Korea.

Yu Cike, Director General of Copyright Department of NCAC noted that digital technology has brought about a series of new challenges for copyright protection and development, therefore it is necessary to promote the building of a more balanced and effective international copyright protection system. At present, China is implementing an innovation-driven development strategy and a strategy of empowering the country through intellectual property rights (IPRs), which has also worked strenuously and productively on the creation, application, protection, management and services of copyright by law. South Korea has also attached great importance to copyright legislation, and has particularly rich experience on network copyright legislation and protection. Chinese and South Korean governments and experts engaging in copyright protection are involved in profound communications and exchanges on this seminar and shared new measures, new results and new experience in copyright protection in the digital environment, so as to learn from each other and seek common development in win-win cooperation.

Head of the Copyright Bureau of the MCST extended congratulations on the success of the seminar, and then stated that with the rapid development of modern technology in recent years, dramatic changes are taking place in the production, circulation and consumption environment of contents. Against this backdrop, it is imperative of China and South Korea to examine changes of copyright problems and legal frameworks, and potential bilateral cooperation opportunities in the field. Since China and South Korea signed copyright exchange and cooperation agreements in 2006, seminars are held every year, for governments, industries and academic communities from both sides to explore development plans. It is believed that copyright industries in these two countries will secure more progress in the future.

On the seminar, Chinese and South Korean guests from Tencent Research Institute, South Korean animation producer Iconix Entertainment, Migu Culture and Technology Co., Ltd注 ]., International Copyright Exchange in Chengdu, and Chengdu Audio & Visual Publishing Ltd., and professors of Nanjing University of Science and Technology (NUST) introduced the policies of copyright protection in the digital context of both countries and their implementation, and exchanged opinions on specific cases. Guests present said that both countries will adopt more proactive measures to promote international copyright cooperation with a more open mind and broader visions.

Tang Zhaozhi, Deputy Director General of Copyright Department of NCAC, Lim Wonsun, Chairman of Korean Copyright Commission (KCC), Han Jae Bul, Minister Counselor at South Korean Embassy in China and head of Korean Cultural Center, China, Zhou Qing, Director of Copyright Bureau of Sichuan Province attended the seminar. More than 100 representatives from Chinese and South Korean government agencies in charge of copyright affairs, relevant international organizations, collective copyright management organizations, academic communities and the copyright protection industry were also present.

During the meeting, China and South Korea engaged in 2019 intergovernmental talks. Both sides exchanged on the governmental level up-to-date progress in copyright legislation, enforcement and the industry development, signed a supplementary agreement to the Cooperation Agreement between the National Copyright Administration of China and Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of ROK, and held special seminars during investigation visits at International Copyright Exchange in Chengdu and Migu Culture and Technology Co., Ltd.