On the afternoon of July 16, the 2024 China-ROK Copyright Seminar, with the theme of “Music Copyright Protection in the Digital Environment in China and ROK", took place in Beijing. The event was co-hosted by the National Copyright Administration of China (NCAC) and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) of ROK and organized by the Copyright Society of China (CSC) and the Korea Copyright Commission (KCC). Over 200 representatives from copyright administrative departments, copyright associations, relevant organizations, academia, and the business community from both countries attended the seminar.

Mr. Wang Zhicheng, Director General of the Copyright Administration of NCAC, reviewed the recent history of copyright exchanges between China and ROK. In 2006, NCAC and MCST signed a ministerial-level agreement on copyright exchange and cooperation. This initiative was further supplemented in 2019 with a bureau level Memorandum of Understanding on China-ROK Copyright Exchange and Collaboration, which established a mechanism for information exchange and negotiation and outlined extensive cooperation in copyright legislation, law enforcement, business development, and other related areas. Under this framework, the two bureaus alternately hosted 17 copyright seminars and intergovernmental talks in both China and ROK from 2006 to 2023, significantly encouraging exchanges and cooperation between the copyright management agencies and business communities of the two countries. Mr. Wang Zhicheng noted that China follows an innovation-driven development strategy and an approach to making the country competitive in intellectual property. Substantial and effective efforts have been made to facilitate copyright creation, utilization, protection, management, and services in accordance with the law. ROK, on the other hand, has conducted extensive practical explorations in copyright legislation, particularly in AI copyright legislation. Through this seminar, government officials and business communities from both countries will engage in thorough exchanges and share new approaches, achievements, and experiences in copyright protection and development in the era of AI, especially music. This event also provides opportunities for learning from each other, seeking common development, and achieving mutually beneficial outcomes.

Ms. Jung Hyangmi, Director General of the Copyright Bureau of MCST, highlighted in her speech that the 17 sessions of the China-ROK Copyright Seminar set examples of mutual trust between the two countries. Touching upon the theme of this seminar, Ms. Jung Hyangmi remarked that in recent years, this sector, including the cultural industry, has been amidst transformation and upgrading, challenging copyright policy innovation. The theme of this seminar is intimately linked to copyright policies and the music industry in the digital era. At this seminar, guests from the political, academic, and civilian sectors shared insights on the challenges faced by both China and ROK and voiced confidence in fostering greater understanding and collective wisdom.

KCC Chairman Gang Seogwon and CSC Vice Chairman Yu Cike aspired to support the copyright industries of both countries and enhance mutual exchanges by connecting the government and industry. Sources reveal that CSC and KCC will sign a strategic cooperation agreement. This partnership represents a major step forward in copyright collaboration between both countries, promising to breathe new life into the growth and success of the copyright sectors and encourage even closer cooperation and exchange in this domain.

This seminar featured speakers of  Mr. Zhang Qinqun, Secretary General of the NCAC Research Base for Internet Copyright Industry; Mr. Kim Chandong, Head of the KCC Legal Research Division; Mr. Choi Seungjae, Professor at Sejong University’s School of Law; Ms. Zheng Ning, Professor, Director of the Legal Department, and Director of the Center for Cultural Law, School of Cultural Industries Management, Communication University of China; Mr. Liu Ping, Vice Chairperson and Director General of the Music Copyright Society of China (MCSC); and Mr.  Lee Taejin, Senior Director (International & Legal) of the Korean Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (KOSCAP). They discussed the current landscape of AI and the dynamics of copyright policies, analyzed the opportunities and challenges that AI presents for music copyright, and explored potential partnerships between Chinese and ROK music collective management organizations in the music copyright industry.

On the morning of July 16, an intergovernmental meeting on copyright took place between China and ROK. The session delved into the latest advancements and prospects for collaboration concerning legislation, law enforcement, business progress, AI, and collective copyright administration.

2024 China-ROK Copyright Seminar 

The exhibition showcasing the development of China’s copyright industry at the 2024 China-ROK Copyright Seminar captivated the attention of the guests.