July 15, 2014

The Office of Legislative Affairs of the State Council released on June 6 the Copyright Law of the People's Republic of China (Revised Draft for Review) (the "Draft") for public comment by July 5, 2014.

The Draft makes amendments to the object of rights under copyright protection, content of rights, ownership of rights and protection period of rights as follows: increasing the "works of applied art" which is granted a protection period of 25 years; and the protection period of photographic works has been revised to a period consisting of the author's lifetime and 50 years after the author's death. In addition, the Draft inserts provisions concerning the registration of copyright and related rights, provisions concerning the registration of rights during the conclusion of exclusive licensing contracts and assignment contracts, and provisions concerning the civil liabilities of online service providers, etc.

(Source: www.chinalaw.gov.cn)