On April 18, at the launching ceremony for the copyright-themed activities of the 2025 National Intellectual Property Publicity Week and the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Collaborative Copyright Development Forum, the Copyright Society of China (CSC) announced the Top 10 Copyright Events of China in 2024.
In 2024, there were numerous high-profile and widely-discussed events in China’s copyright sector, marked by remarkable achievements and highlights in such areas as copyright legislation, judiciary, administrative law enforcement, social services, industrial development, and international exchanges. CSC, under the guidance of the National Copyright Administration of China (NCAC), extensively gathered input from diverse sectors to fully capture the progress of China’s copyright endeavors and the outcomes of associated copyright initiatives and foster greater copyright awareness across society. After summarizing the recommendations from all sources and the opinions of expert demonstrations, the Top 10 Copyright Events of China in 2024 were selected, as outlined below:
1. The total number of copyright registrations in China surpassed 10 million for the first time. In 2024, the total number of copyright registrations in China reached over 10.63 million, marking a year-on-year increase of 19.13%. Among them, over 7.80 million were work registrations, up 21.39% year-on-year, and over 2.82 million were computer software registrations, up 13.31% year-on-year. China’s copyright registration system has been in place since 1995. The total number of national copyright registrations exceeded 1 million in 2013, surpassed 5 million in 2020, and broke through the 10 million mark in 2024. The rapid growth in copyright registrations reflects the flourishing creation of copyrighted works in China and the new achievements in the high-quality development of the copyright industry. According to relevant surveys, in 2023, the added value of China’s copyright industry reached 9.38 trillion yuan, accounting for 7.44% of GDP. The copyright industry is steadily emerging as a pivotal force in building a great country and rejuvenating the nation.
2. Establishment of the Direct Top Level Online Litigation-Mediation Linkage Mechanism for Copyright Disputes. In April 2024, the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee and the Supreme People’s Court issued a notice to establish the Direct Top Level Online Litigation-Mediation Linkage Mechanism for Copyright Disputes, innovating a diversified resolution model for copyright disputes. CSC, along with 33 copyright dispute mediation organizations in Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Jiangsu, and Guangdong, were the first batch of pilot institutions. Through pre-litigation assignments and in-litigation entrustments, they actively guided parties involved in copyright disputes to settle disputes and resolve conflicts through mediation, promoting the in-depth development of online copyright mediation. This is a concrete measure in the copyright sector to carry forward the “Fengqiao Experience” of the new era, and it holds significant importance for legally protecting the legitimate rights and interests of copyright owners and related right holders, as well as maintaining an open, fair, and just copyright market order.
3. NCAC announced the first batch of typical cases for building a copyright powerhouse. In October 2024, NCAC released 24 typical cases for building China into a copyright powerhouse, including 8 in copyright industry services, 8 in copyright protection, and 8 in international copyright communication. The selection and announcement of these typical cases summarize and distill the experiences and practices of different places in promoting the construction of a copyright powerhouse, fully reflecting the new progress and achievements made by China in advancing this endeavor. It expands the exemplary and leading role of typical cases, enhancing their driving effects. This is conducive to upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground in strengthening the copyright industry, promoting copyright protection in new business models and fields, enhancing the development and international operational capabilities of the copyright industry, and further improving the quality and efficiency of building a copyright powerhouse, thereby contributing copyright strength to the comprehensive construction of a modern socialist country.
4. Copyright rules for the application of large AI models spark heated debate. In 2024, the vigorous development of generative AI technologies and applications has brought about new content creation and dissemination experiences. However, issues such as copyright risks associated with the use of data for large model training, the copyrightability of AI-generated content (AIGC), and the copyright due diligence obligations and liability boundaries of AIGC service providers have become hot topics in both theoretical and practical circles. In 2024, the first copyright infringement case involving AI-generated images and two infringement cases involving AIGC platforms were adjudicated, while the first AI audiovisual work infringement case is still under trial, highlighting the challenges posed by the rapid development of AI technologies to the existing copyright legal system. Copyright authorities, theoretical circles, practical sectors, and the industry have actively organized various activities, triggering more in-depth discussions among all sectors of society on issues such as AIGC, copyright ownership, and infringement liability, thereby promoting theoretical discussions and legal practices in AI copyright protection in China.
5. China’s domestic game Black Myth: Wukong achieves a historic breakthrough in copyright operation. Launched in August 2024, the domestic game Black Myth: Wukong integrates outstanding cultural elements such as China’s ancient architecture, heritage sites, and intangible cultural heritage, applying cutting-edge digital technologies including real-scene scanning, multi-dimensional modeling, motion capture, and ultra-high-texture rendering. With its “Chinese culture and world-class quality”, it has garnered global player acclaim and achieved historic breakthroughs (winning two major awards at TGA 2024: Best Action Game and Players’ Voice). The game itself, along with its associated characters, props, backgrounds, wallpapers, and music, are all subjects of copyright protection. The producers have focused on comprehensive and full-chain copyright development and cultivation, expanding its global influence and commercial value through pre-sales, digital collectibles, and collaborations with the film and television industry, becoming a model of integrated cultural and technological development. The success of Black Myth: Wukong is a microcosm of the high-quality development of China’s copyright-supported industries such as gaming, film and television, animation, and online literature in recent years, reflecting a strategic transformation in China’s copyright industry from quantity growth and scale expansion to quality improvement and value upgrading. It embodies the advancement of China’s technological prowess and cultural soft power against the backdrop of major power competition.
6. Strengthening copyright protection and development for short-form dramas has become an industry consensus. In 2024, the short-form drama industry witnessed a continuous rise in innovative vitality, producing a number of outstanding works that demonstrate strong market vigor and development potential. As of December 2024, the user base for such dramas has reached 662 million, with a utilization rate of 59.7%. Meanwhile, copyright-related issues such as content rewriting, editing and repackaging, copying, and repeated infringement have become increasingly prominent. In October 2024, during the first Conference on Creation of High-Quality Product in Radio and Television of China, China Netcasting Services Association launched the Anti-Infringement and Anti-Piracy Action Plan for Short-Form Dramas, aiming to safeguard the copyright order within the short-form drama industry and foster a healthy and orderly copyright environment for its development. In November 2024, at the Eighth National Conference on Copyright Protection and Development in Digital Environment, CSC established the Short-Form Drama Working Committee and issued the Initiative on Maintaining Copyright Order in the Short-Form Drama Industry and Promoting Its Healthy Development. Relevant industry organizations, short-form drama platforms, and distribution platforms have actively responded by expanding copyright exchange and cooperation, curbing various forms of infringement and piracy, and straightening out the copyright licensing and usage mechanisms. These efforts aim to foster a healthy and orderly copyright industry ecosystem and gradually establish a new co-governance framework for short-form drama copyright protection and development, combining government regulation, industry self-discipline, and social oversight.
7. The protection and promotion of copyright for folk literature and art have achieved profound advancement. Efforts in protecting and promoting copyright for folk literature and art have maintained a coordinated approach between domestic and international legislation. At the international level, the 2024 International Symposium on Copyright Protection and Promotion of Folk Literature and Art, hosted by NCAC and WIPO, was held in Wenzhou in November 2024. it brought together over 300 experts from home and abroad, including representatives from the two hosts, to discuss the current status and future of copyright protection for folk literature and art. The symposium effectively showcased China’s achievements in protecting and promoting copyright for folk literature and art, demonstrating its responsibility and commitment as a major player in global copyright governance, and yielded positive outcomes. Domestically, in 2024, the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee continued to launch pilot projects for the protection and promotion of copyright for folk literature and art. Twelve regions, including Yu County in Hebei Province and Xiuyan Manchu Autonomous County in Liaoning Province, were selected as pilot areas. Currently, there are over 30 pilot regions at the provincial, municipal, and county levels dedicated to the protection and promotion of such copyright. Each pilot area has leveraged its unique local folk literature and art resources to vigorously develop related copyright industries, further tapping into their copyright value and consistently driving the protection and promotion of copyright for folk literature and art to greater depths.
8. Pioneering a new phase in international copyright cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). In recent years, China has consistently expanded copyright exchanges and cooperation with neighboring countries, effectively sharing China’s copyright narrative and enhancing mutual learning among world civilizations. In 2024, NCAC conducted bilateral talks with several BRI countries, including Brazil, the UAE, Egypt, and Indonesia, during the International Copyright Forums and High-Level Conference on Intellectual Property for Countries along the Belt and Road. These discussions fostered mutual understanding and trust between China and other nations, strengthening international copyright communication and exchanges. In line with the China-Vietnam Copyright Memorandum, Vietnam’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism was invited to visit China for a series of copyright exchange activities, further expanding bilateral cooperation in the copyright sector and promoting China’s copyright system and industrial development achievements. Additionally, NCAC and Cambodia’s Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Copyright and Related Rights during the 3rd High-Level Conference on Intellectual Property for Countries along the Belt and Road. This agreement signifies a deeper and broader collaboration between China and Cambodia in copyright and related rights, representing a significant outcome in actively responding to the BRI and strengthening bilateral copyright exchanges and cooperation. It serves as a key model and catalyst for expanding China’s international copyright influence, particularly in strengthening copyright cooperation with Southeast Asian countries.
9. The campaign for the use of licensed software in the education system has entered a new phase. In November 2024, the Ministry of Education and NCAC issued the Notice on Promoting the Use of Licensed Software in the Education System, mandating the establishment of a long-term mechanism for the use of licensed software in the education system by the end of 2027. This includes the comprehensive adoption of licensed operating systems, office software, and antivirus programs, with the aim of virtually eliminating unauthorized use without the authorization of the software copyright owner. This initiative marks a new stage in the campaign for the use of licensed software in the education system and will undoubtedly provide robust support for building up China’s strength in education, online environment, intellectual property, and digital development.
10. Judicial protection of copyright for film and television works has exhibited new trends. In June 2024, the Dongyang People’s Court in Zhejiang Province handed down judgments against defendants, including Lu, who had illegally set up pirated film and television websites to disseminate multiple works, including You Only Live Once, Pegasus 2, Article 20, and Boonie Bears: Time Twist, all of which were on NCAC’s priority copyright protection watchlist. The defendants received varying criminal sentences of up to four years in prison and fines of up to 1.5 million yuan, along with civil compensation awards through criminal proceedings with civil claims, ranging up to 880,000 yuan to five rights holders, including Beijing Enlight Pictures. This case marked China’s first case of criminal proceedings with civil claims involving infringement and piracy of cinema-released films, with several similar cases subsequently entering the litigation process. The investigation, prosecution, and adjudication of these cases have demonstrated the resolve and actions of copyright enforcement and judicial authorities in cracking down on cinema-released film infringement and piracy. They have also broadened avenues for rights holders of film and television works to defend their rights, reduced the costs associated, and set a precedent for promoting the healthy development of the film and television industry.