Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Key definition

What does Copyright mean? In legal practice, copyright protects how original creative works are used, licensed and monetised. It is a statutory intellectual property right that arises automatically on creation (no registration) and gives the owner exclusive rights to copy, issue copies to the public, perform, show or play, communicate to the public and adapt the work. Across England & Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, copyright is defined and governed by the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. In Ireland, it is governed by the Copyright and Related Rights Act 2000. Protected subject matter includes literary, dramatic, musical and artistic works, films, sound recordings,...

China Copyright Law: Ownership, Registration, Licensing, Enforcement (Civil, Criminal, Administrative and Customs), Online Infringement and AI — Practical Guidance for UK Practitioners

Published by a LexisNexis IP expert

Practice notes

Introduction

Copyright is an IP right that grants an individual the exclusive control over how their original work is copied, disseminated or otherwise dealt with by Third parties. The principal statute regulating and setting out copyright in China is the Copyright Law of the People’s Republic of China (the “Copyright Law”), first officially enacted in 1990 and subsequently formally revised in 2001, 2010 and 2020.

What is copyright?

Copyright is an IP entitlement that safeguards a person’s exclusive right to reproduce, publish, distribute or sell their original creation. It protects the expression of an idea rather than the idea itself. For copyright to subsist lawfully, a work must be original and capable of reproduction. Broadly speaking, the categories of works that qualify for protection in Europe will similarly qualify in China. Creative outputs, including books, music, sound recordings, plays, films, paintings, sculptures and photographs, may attract copyright protection, among others. Databases are protected as well. In China, computer software is also expressly secured under the Copyright Law. Copyright comprises a bundle of rights that are granted to the author of an original work. The author of that work enjoys moral rights in what they have produced, including the right accordingly...

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Meiqi Deng

Chofn Intellectual Property

Ms. Meiqi Deng is a trademark attorney in China’s mainland with over ten years of experience in IP field. Ms. Deng developed a passion for law at a young age, and graduated from China University of Political Science and Law, known as the highest educational institution of law in China. After her graduation, she joined Chofn Intellectual Property in 2014 and became a partner in 2022. She has extensive experience in trademark search, application, appeal of rejection, opposition, invalidation, copyright registration, etc., and has represented a wide array of clients, from startups to international enterprises and non-profit institutions, consistently delivering outcomes that reflect her deep understanding of the law and her clients' unique needs....

Louisa Dixon

Louisa is a Partner in the Intellectual Property group at Mishcon, specialising in international brand protection and enforcement. She supports clients through all stages of the IP lifecycle, from IP audits and strategy development, through to clearance, registration, enforcement and licensing.Known for her strong Technology practice, Louisa has a wealth of experience in protecting brands in the software and life sciences sectors, and has particular expertise in developing effective brand protection strategies for high-growth technology companies. She is recognised for devising effective strategies for appropriately managing risk and is skilled at managing and translating local counsel advice across multiple jurisdictions. She also represents clients in oppositions before the UK IPO, as well as coordinating multi-jurisdictional enforcement matters around the world.Louisa is ranked as a Leading Individual in the Legal 500 and as a recommended expert in the World Trademark Review's WTR 1000 World's...

Laura Aldridge

Mishcon de Reya

Laura Aldridge is a Managing Associate in the Brands Team at Mishcon with 10 years' trade mark experience. She joined the firm as part of the merger with Taylor Vinters in January 2023. She advises on all aspects of brand protection, from clearance, filing and registration through to maintenance and enforcement. She has particular experience advising on clearance and filing strategies and resolving objections during prosecution, working with local counsel to provide tailored advice across multiple markets. Laura works regularly with charity, social venture, start-up and growth clients and understands the need to provide pragmatic and cost-effective advice and solutions. ...

Web page updated on 21/05/2026

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