中華人民共和國著作權法(附英文)
中華人民共和國主席令(七屆第31號)
《中華人民共和國著作權法》已由中華人民共和國第七屆全國人民代表大會常務委員會第十五次會議于1990年9月7日通過,現予公布,自1991年6月1日起施行。
中華人民共和國主席 楊尚昆
1990年9月7日
中華人民共和國著作權法(附英文)
(1990年9月7日第七屆全國人民代表大會常務委員會第十五次會議通過 1990年9月7日中華人民共和國主席令第三十一號公布 1991年6月1日起施行)
《中華人民共和國著作權法》已由中華人民共和國第七屆全國人民代表大會常務委員會第十五次會議于1990年9月7日通過,現予公布,自1991年6月1日起施行。
中華人民共和國主席 楊尚昆
1990年9月7日
目 錄
第一章 總 則
第二章 著作權
第一節 著作權人及其權利
第二節 著作權歸屬
第三節 權利的保護期
第四節 權利的限制
第三章 著作權許可使用合同
第四章 出版、表演、錄音錄像、播放
第一節 圖書、報刊的出版
第二節 表 演
第三節 錄音錄像
第四節 廣播電臺、電視臺播放
第五章 法律責任
第六章 附 則
第一章 總 則
第一條 為保護文學、藝術和科學作品作者的著作權,以及與著作權有關的權益,鼓勵有益于社會主義精神文明、物質文明建設的作品的創作和傳播,促進社會主義文化和科學事業的發展與繁榮,根據憲法制定本法。
第二條 中國公民、法人或者非法人單位的作品,不論是否發表,依照本法享有著作權。
外國人的作品首先在中國境內發表的,依照本法享有著作權。
外國人在中國境內發表的作品,根據其所屬國同中國簽訂的協議或者共同參加的國際條約享有的著作權,受本法保護。
第三條 本法所稱的作品,包括以下列形式創作的文學、藝術和自然科學、社會科學、工程技術等作品:
(一)文字作品;
(二)口述作品;
(三)音樂、戲劇、曲藝、舞蹈作品;
(四)美術、攝影作品;
(五)電影、電視、錄像作品;
(六)工程設計、產品設計圖紙及其說明;
(七)地圖、示意圖等圖形作品;
(八)計算機軟件;
(九)法律、行政法規規定的其他作品。
第四條 依法禁止出版、傳播的作品,不受本法保護。
著作權人行使著作權,不得違反憲法和法律,不得損害公共利益。
第五條 本法不適用于:
(一)法律、法規,國家機關的決議、決定、命令和其他具有立法、行政、司法性質的文件,及其官方正式譯文;
(二)時事新聞;
(三)歷法、數表、通用表格和公式。
第六條 民間文學藝術作品的著作權保護辦法由國務院另行規定。
第七條 科學技術作品中應當由專利法、技術合同法等法律保護的,適用專利法、技術合同法等法律的規定。
第八條 國務院著作權行政管理部門主管全國的著作權管理工作;各省、自治區、直轄市人民政府的著作權行政管理部門主管本行政區域的著作權管理工作。
第二章 著作權 第一節 著作權人及其權利
第九條 著作權人包括:
(一)作者;
(二)其他依照本法享有著作權的公民、法人或者非法人單位。
第十條 著作權包括下列人身權和財產權:
(一)發表權,即決定作品是否公之于眾的權利;
(二)署名權,即表明作者身份,在作品上署名的權利;
(三)修改權,即修改或者授權他人修改作品的權利;
(四)保護作品完整權,即保護作品不受歪曲、篡改的權利;
(五)使用權和獲得報酬權,即以復制、表演、播放、展覽、發行、攝制電影、電視、錄像或者改編、翻譯、注釋、編輯等方式使用作品的權利;以及許可他人以上述方式使用作品,并由此獲得報酬的權利。
第二章 著作權 第二節 著作權歸屬
第十一條 著作權屬于作者,本法另有規定的除外。
創作作品的公民是作者。
由法人或者非法人單位主持,代表法人或者非法人單位意志創作,并由法人或者非法人單位承擔責任的作品,法人或者非法人單位視為作者。
如無相反證明,在作品上署名的公民、法人或者非法人單位為作者。
第十二條 改編、翻譯、注釋、整理已有作品而產生的作品,其著作權由改編、翻譯、注釋、整理人享有,但行使著作權時,不得侵犯原作品的著作權。
第十三條 兩人以上合作創作的作品,著作權由合作作者共同享有。沒有參加創作的人,不能成為合作作者。
合作作品可以分割使用的,作者對各自創作的部分可以單獨享有著作權,但行使著作權時不得侵犯合作作品整體的著作權。
第十四條 編輯作品由編輯人享有著作權,但行使著作權時,不得侵犯原作品的著作權。
編輯作品中可以單獨使用的作品的作者有權單獨行使其著作權。
第十五條 電影、電視、錄像作品的導演、編劇、作詞、作曲、攝影等作者享有署名權,著作權的其他權利由制作電影、電視、錄像作品的制片者享有。
電影、電視、錄像作品中劇本、音樂等可以單獨使用的作品的作者有權單獨行使其著作權。
第十六條 公民為完成法人或者非法人單位工作任務所創作的作品是職務作品,除本條第二款的規定以外,著作權由作者享有,但法人或者非法人單位有權在其業務范圍內優先使用。作品完成兩年內,未經單位同意,作者不得許可第三人以與單位使用的相同方式使用該作品。
有下列情形之一的職務作品,作者享有署名權,著作權的其他權利由法人或者非法人單位享有,法人或者非法人單位可以給予作者獎勵:
(一)主要是利用法人或者非法人單位的物質技術條件創作,并由法人或者非法人單位承擔責任的工程設計、產品設計圖紙及其說明、計算機軟件、地圖等職務作品;
(二)法律、行政法規規定或者合同約定著作權由法人或者非法人單位享有的職務作品。
第十七條 受委托創作的作品,著作權的歸屬由委托人和受托人通過合同約定。合同未作明確約定或者沒有訂立合同的,著作權屬于受托人。
第十八條 美術等作品原件所有權的轉移,不視為作品著作權的轉移,但美術作品原件的展覽權由原件所有人享有。
第十九條 著作權屬于公民的,公民死亡后,其作品的使用權和獲得報酬權在本法規定的保護期內,依照繼承法的規定轉移。
著作權屬于法人或者非法人單位的,法人或者非法人單位變更、終止后,其作品的使用權和獲得報酬權在本法規定的保護期內,由承受其權利義務的法人或者非法人單位享有;沒有承受其權利義務的法人或者非法人單位的,由國家享有。
第二章 著作權 第三節 權利的保護期
第二十條 作者的署名權、修改權、保護作品完整權的保護期不受限制。
第二十一條 公民的作品,其發表權、使用權和獲得報酬權的保護期為作者終生及其死亡后五十年,截止于作者死亡后第五十年的12月31日;如果是合作作品,截止于最后死亡的作者死亡后的第五十年的12月31日。
法人或者非法人單位的作品、著作權(署名權除外)由法人或者非法人單位享有的職務作品,其發表權、使用權和獲得報酬權的保護期為五十年,截止于作品首次發表后第五十年的12月31日,但作品自創作完成后五十年內未發表的,本法不再保護。
電影、電視、錄像和攝影作品的發表權、使用權和獲得報酬權的保護期為五十年,截止于作品首次發表后第五十年的12月31日,但作品自創作完成后五十年內未發表的,本法不再保護。
第二章 著作權 第四節 權利的限制
第二十二條 在下列情況下使用作品,可以不經著作權人許可,不向其支付報酬,但應當指明作者姓名、作品名稱,并且不得侵犯著作權人依照本法享有的其他權利:
(一)為個人學習、研究或者欣賞,使用他人已經發表的作品;
(二)為介紹、評論某一作品或者說明某一問題,在作品中適當引用他人已經發表的作品;
(三)為報道時事新聞,在報紙、期刊、廣播、電視節目或者新聞紀錄影片中引用已經發表的作品;
(四)報紙、期刊、廣播電臺、電視臺刊登或者播放其他報紙、期刊、廣播電臺、電視臺已經發表的社論、評論員文章;
(五)報紙、期刊、廣播電臺、電視臺刊登或者播放在公眾集會上發表的講話,但作者聲明不許刊登、播放的除外;
(六)為學校課堂教學或者科學研究,翻譯或者少量復制已經發表的作品,供教學或者科研人員使用,但不得出版發行;
(七)國家機關為執行公務使用已經發表的作品;
(八)圖書館、檔案館、紀念館、博物館、美術館等為陳列或者保存版本的需要,復制本館收藏的作品;
(九)免費表演已經發表的作品;
(十)對設置或者陳列在室外公共場所的藝術作品進行臨摹、繪畫、攝影、錄像;
(十一)將已經發表的漢族文字作品翻譯成少數民族文字在國內出版發行;
(十二)將已經發表的作品改成盲文出版。
以上規定適用于對出版者、表演者、錄音錄像制作者、廣播電臺、電視臺的權利的限制。
第三章 著作權許可使用合同
第二十三條 使用他人作品應當同著作權人訂立合同或者取得許可,本法規定可以不經許可的除外。
第二十四條 合同包括下列主要條款:
(一)許可使用作品的方式;
(二)許可使用的權利是專有使用權或者非專有使用權;
(三)許可使用的范圍、期間;
(四)付酬標準和辦法;
(五)違約責任;
(六)雙方認為需要約定的其他內容。
第二十五條 合同中著作權人未明確許可的權利,未經著作權人許可,另一方當事人不得行使。
第二十六條 合同的有效期限不超過十年。合同期滿可以續訂。
第二十七條 使用作品的付酬標準由國務院著作權行政管理部門會同有關部門制定。
合同另有約定的,也可以按照合同支付報酬。
第二十八條 出版者、表演者、錄音錄像制作者、廣播電臺、電視臺等依照本法取得他人的著作權使用權的,不得侵犯作者的署名權、修改權、保護作品完整權和獲得報酬權。
第四章 出版、表演、錄音錄像、播放 第一節 圖書、報刊的出版
第二十九條 圖書出版者出版圖書應當和著作權人訂立出版合同,并支付報酬。
第三十條 圖書出版者對著作權人交付出版的作品,在合同約定期間享有專有出版權。合同約定圖書出版者享有專有出版權的期限不得超過十年,合同期滿可以續訂。
圖書出版者在合同約定期間享有的專有出版權受法律保護,他人不得出版該作品。
第三十一條 著作權人應當按照合同約定期限交付作品。圖書出版者應當按照合同約定的出版質量、期限出版圖書。
圖書出版者不按照合同約定期限出版,應當依照本法第四十七條的規定承擔民事責任。
圖書出版者重印、再版作品的,應當通知著作權人,并支付報酬。圖書脫銷后,圖書出版者拒絕重印、再版的,著作權人有權終止合同。
第三十二條 著作權人向報社、雜志社投稿的,自稿件發出之日起十五日內未收到報社通知決定刊登的,或者自稿件發出之日起三十日內未收到雜志社通知決定刊登的,可以將同一作品向其他報社、雜志社投稿。雙方另有約定的除外。
作品刊登后,除著作權人聲明不得轉載、摘編的外,其他報刊可以轉載或者作為文摘、資料刊登,但應當按照規定向著作權人支付報酬。
第三十三條 圖書出版者經作者許可,可以對作品修改、刪節。
報社、雜志社可以對作品作文字性修改、刪節,對內容的修改,應當經作者許可。
第三十四條 出版改編、翻譯、注釋、整理、編輯已有作品而產生的作品,應當向改編、翻譯、注釋、整理、編輯作品的著作權人和原作品的著作權人支付報酬。
第四章 出版、表演、錄音錄像、播放 第二節 表演
第三十五條 表演者(演員、演出單位)使用他人未發表的作品演出,應當取得著作權人許可,并支付報酬。
表演者使用他人已發表的作品進行營業性演出,可以不經著作權人許可,但應當按照規定支付報酬;著作權人聲明不許使用的不得使用。
表演者使用改編、翻譯、注釋、整理已有作品而產生的作品進行營業性演出,應當按照規定向改編、翻譯、注釋、整理作品的著作權人和原作品的著作權人支付報酬。
表演者為制作錄音錄像和廣播、電視節目進行表演使用他人作品的,適用本法第三十七條、第四十條的規定。
第三十六條 表演者對其表演享有下列權利:
(一)表明表演者身份;
(二)保護表演者形象不受歪曲;
(三)許可他人從現場直播;
(四)許可他人為營利目的錄音錄像,并獲得報酬。
第四章 出版、表演、錄音錄像、播放 第三節 錄音錄像
第三十七條 錄音制作者使用他人未發表的作品制作錄音制品,應當取得著作權人的許可,并支付報酬。使用他人已發表的作品制作錄音制品,可以不經著作權人許可,但應當按照規定支付報酬;著作權人聲明不許使用的不得使用。
錄像制作者使用他人作品制作錄像制品,應當取得著作權人的許可,并支付報酬。
錄音錄像制作者使用改編、翻譯、注釋、整理已有作品而產生的作品,應當向改編、翻譯、注釋、整理作品的著作權人和原作品的著作權人支付報酬。
第三十八條 錄音錄像制作者制作錄音錄像制品,應當同表演者訂立合同,并支付報酬。
第三十九條 錄音錄像制作者對其制作的錄音錄像制品,享有許可他人復制發行并獲得報酬的權利。該權利的保護期為五十年,截止于該制品首次出版后第五十年的12月31日。
被許可復制發行的錄音錄像制作者還應當按照規定向著作權人和表演者支付報酬。
第四章 出版、表演、錄音錄像、播放 第四節 廣播電臺、電視臺播放
第四十條 廣播電臺、電視臺使用他人未發表的作品制作廣播、電視節目,應當取得著作權人的許可,并支付報酬。
廣播電臺、電視臺使用他人已發表的作品制作廣播、電視節目,可以不經著作權人許可,但著作權人聲明不許使用的不得使用;并且除本法規定可以不支付報酬的以外,應當按照規定支付報酬。
廣播電臺、電視臺使用改編、翻譯、注釋、整理已有作品而產生的作品制作廣播、電視節目,應當向改編、翻譯、注釋、整理作品的著作權人和原作品的著作權人支付報酬。
第四十一條 廣播電臺、電視臺制作廣播、電視節目,應當同表演者訂立合同,并支付報酬。
第四十二條 廣播電臺、電視臺對其制作的廣播、電視節目,享有下列權利:
(一)播放;
(二)許可他人播放,并獲得報酬;
(三)許可他人復制發行其制作的廣播、電視節目,并獲得報酬。
前款規定的權利的保護期為五十年,截止于該節目首次播放后第五十年的12月31日。
被許可復制發行的錄音錄像制作者還應當按照規定向著作權人和表演者支付報酬。
第四十三條 廣播電臺、電視臺非營業性播放已經出版的錄音制品,可以不經著作權人、表演者、錄音制作者許可,不向其支付報酬。
第四十四條 電視臺播放他人的電影、電視和錄像,應當取得電影、電視制片者和錄像制作者的許可,并支付報酬。
第五章 法律責任
第四十五條 有下列侵權行為的,應當根據情況,承擔停止侵害、消除影響、公開賠禮道歉、賠償損失等民事責任:
(一)未經著作權人許可,發表其作品的;
(二)未經合作作者許可,將與他人合作創作的作品當作自己單獨創作的作品發表的;
(三)沒有參加創作,為謀取個人名利,在他人作品上署名的;
(四)歪曲、篡改他人作品的;
(五)未經著作權人許可,以表演、播放、展覽、發行、攝制電影、電視、錄像或者改編、翻譯、注釋、編輯等方式使用作品的,本法另有規定的除外;
(六)使用他人作品,未按照規定支付報酬的;
(七)未經表演者許可,從現場直播其表演的;
(八)其他侵犯著作權以及與著作權有關的權益的行為。
第四十六條 有下列侵權行為的,應當根據情況,承擔停止侵害、消除影響、公開賠禮道歉、賠償損失等民事責任,并可以由著作權行政管理部門給予沒收非法所得、罰款等行政處罰:
(一)剽竊、抄襲他人作品的;
(二)未經著作權人許可,以營利為目的,復制發行其作品的;
(三)出版他人享有專有出版權的圖書的;
(四)未經表演者許可,對其表演制作錄音錄像出版的;
(五)未經錄音錄像制作者許可,復制發行其制作的錄音錄像的;
(六)未經廣播電臺、電視臺許可,復制發行其制作的廣播、電視節目的;
(七)制作、出售假冒他人署名的美術作品的。
第四十七條 當事人不履行合同義務或者履行合同義務不符合約定條件的,應當依照民法通則有關規定承擔民事責任。
第四十八條 著作權侵權糾紛可以調解,調解不成或者調解達成協議后一方反悔的,可以向人民法院起訴。當事人不愿調解的,也可以直接向人民法院起訴。
第四十九條 著作權合同糾紛可以調解,也可以依據合同中的仲裁條款或者事后達成的書面仲裁協議,向著作權仲裁機構申請仲裁。
對于仲裁裁決,當事人應當履行。當事人一方不履行仲裁裁決的,另一方可以申請人民法院執行。
受申請的人民法院發現仲裁裁決違法的,有權不予執行。人民法院不予執行的,當事人可以就合同糾紛向人民法院起訴。
當事人沒有在合同中訂立仲裁條款,事后又沒有書面仲裁協議的,可以直接向人民法院起訴。
第五十條 當事人對行政處罰不服的,可以在收到行政處罰決定書三個月內向人民法院起訴,期滿不起訴又不履行的,著作權行政管理部門可以申請人民法院執行。
第六章 附 則
第五十一條 本法所稱的著作權與版權系同義語。
第五十二條 本法所稱的復制,指以印刷、復印、臨摹、拓印、錄音、錄像、翻錄、翻拍等方式將作品制作一份或者多份的行為。
按照工程設計、產品設計圖紙及其說明進行施工、生產工業品,不屬于本法所稱的復制。
第五十三條 計算機軟件的保護辦法由國務院另行規定。
第五十四條 本法的實施條例由國務院著作權行政管理部門制定,報國務院批準后施行。
第五十五條 本法規定的著作權人和出版者、表演者、錄音錄像制作者、廣播電臺、電視臺的權利,在本法施行之日尚未超過本法規定的保護期的,依照本法予以保護。
本法施行前發生的侵權或者違約行為,依照侵權或者違約行為發生時的有關規定和政策處理。
第五十六條 本法自1991年6月1日起施行。
COPYRIGHT LAW OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA [*1]
Important Notice: (注意事項)
英文本源自中華人民共和國務院法制局編譯, 中國法制出版社出版的《中華人民
共和國涉外法規匯編》(1991年7月版).
當發生歧意時, 應以法律法規頒布單位發布的中文原文為準.
This English document is coming from the "LAWS AND REGULATIONS OF THE
PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA GOVERNING FOREIGN-RELATED MATTERS" (1991.7)
which is compiled by the Brueau of Legislative Affairs of the State
Council of the People's Republic of China, and is published by the China
Legal System Publishing House.
In case of discrepancy, the original version in Chinese shall prevail.
Whole Document (法規全文)
COPYRIGHT LAW OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA [*1]
(Adopted at the 15th Meeting of the Standing Committee of the
Seventh National People's Congress on September 7, 1990, promulgated by
Order No. 31 of the President of the People's Republic of China on
September 7, 1990, and effective as of June 1, 1991)
Contents
Chapter I General Provisions
Chapter II Copyright
Section 1 Copyright Owners and Their Rights
Section 2 Ownership of Copyright
Section 3 Term of Protection of Rights
Section 4 Limitations on Rights
Chapter III Copyright Licensing Contracts
Chapter IV Publication, Performance, Sound Recording, Video Recording
and Broadcasting
Section 1 Publication of Books, Newspapers and Periodicals
Section 2 Performance
Section 3 Sound Recording and Video Recording
Section 4 Broadcasting by Radio Station or Television
Station
Chapter V Legal Liability
Chapter VI Supplementary Provisions
Chapter I General Provisions
Article 1
This Law is enacted, in accordance with the Constitution for the purposes
of protecting the copyright of authors in their literary, artistic and
scientific works and rights and interests related to copyright, of
encouraging the creation and dissemination of works which would contribute
to the building of an advanced socialist culture and ideology and to
socialist material development, and of promoting the development and
flourishing of socialist culture and sciences.
Article 2
Works of Chinese citizens, legal persons or entities without legal
personality, whether published or not, shall enjoy copyright in accordance
with this Law. Works of foreigners first published in the territory of
the People's Republic of China shall enjoy copyright in accordance with
this Law.
Any work of a foreigner published outside the territory of the People's
Republic of China which is eligible to enjoy copyright under an agreement
concluded between the country to which the foreigner belongs and China, or
under an international treaty to which both countries are parties, shall
be protected in accordance with this Law.
Article 3
For the purpose of this Law, the term "works" includes works of
literature, art, natural science, social science, engineering technology
and the like which are created in the following forms:
(1) written works;
(2) oral works;
(3) musical, dramatic, quyi and choreographic works;
(4) Works of fine art and photographic works;
(5) cinematographic, television and video-graphic works;
(6) drawings of engineering designs and product designs, and descriptions
thereof;
(7) maps, sketches and other graphic works;
(8) computer software;
(9) other works as provided for in law and administrative rules and
regulations.
Article 4
Works the publication or distribution of which is prohibited by law shall
not be protected by this law.
Copyright owners, in exercising their copyright, shall not violate the
Constitution or laws or prejudice the public interests.
Article 5
This law shall not be applicable to:
(1) laws; regulations; resolutions, decisions and orders of state organs;
other documents of legislative, administrative and judicial nature; and
their official translations;
(2) news on current affairs; and
(3) calendars, numerical tables, forms of general use and formulas.
Article 6
Measures for the protection of copyright in works of folk literature and
art shall be established separately by the State Council.
Article 7
Where any scientific or technological work is protected under the Patent
Law, the Law on Technology Contracts or similar laws, the provisions of
those laws shall apply.
Article 8
The copyright administration department under the State Council shall be
responsible for the nationwide administration of copyright. The copyright
administration department under the people's government of each province,
autonomous region and municipality directly under the Central Government
shall be responsible for the administration of copyright in its respective
administrative area.
Chapter II Copyright
Section 1 Copyright Owners and Their Rights
Article 9
The term "copyright owners" shall include:
(1) authors; and
(2) other citizens, legal persons and entities without legal personality
enjoying copyright in accordance with this Law.
Article 10
The term "copyright" shall include the following personal rights and
property rights:
(1) the right of publication, that is, the right to decide whether to make
a work available to the public;
(2) the right of authorship, that is, the right to claim authorship and to
have the author's name indicated on his works;
(3) the right of alternation, that is, the right to alter or authorize
others to alter one's work;
(4) the right of integrity, that is, the right to protect one's work
against distortion and mutilation;
(5) the right of exploitation and the right to remuneration, that is, the
right of exploiting one's work by means of reproduction, performance,
broadcasting, exhibition distribution, making cinematographic, television
or video production, adaptation, translation, annotation, compilation and
the like, and the right of authorizing others to exploit one's work by the
above-mentioned means, and of receiving remuneration therefor.
Section 2 Ownership of Copyright
Article 11
Except where otherwise provided in this Law, the copyright in a work shall
belong to its author.
The author of a work is the citizen who has created the work.
Where a work is created according to the will and under the sponsorship
and the responsibility of a legal or entity without legal personality,
such legal person or entity without legal personality shall be deemed to
be the author of the work. The citizen, legal person or entity without
legal personality whose name is indicated on a work shall, in the absence
of proof to the contrary, be deemed to be the author of the work
Article 12
Where a work is created by adaptation, translation, annotation or
arrangement of a pre-existing work, the copyright in the work thus created
shall be enjoyed by the adaptor, translator or arranger, provided that the
exercise of such copyright shall not prejudice the copyright in the
original work.
Article 13
Where a work is created jointly by two or more co-authors, the copyright
in the work shall be enjoyed jointly by those co-authors. Any person who
has not participated in the creation of the work may not claim the co-
authorship.
If a work of joint authorship can be separated into independent parts and
exploited separately, each co-author may be entitled to independent
copyright in the parts that he has created, provided that the exercise of
such copyright shall not prejudice the copyright in the joint work as a
whole.
Article 14
The copyright in a work created by compilation shall be enjoyed by the
compiler, provided that the exercise of such copyright shall not prejudice
the copyright in the preexisting works included in the compilation.
The authors of such works included in a compilation as can be exploited
separately shall be entitled to exercise their copyright in their works
independently.
Article 15
The director, screenwriter, lyricist, composer, cameraman and other
authors of a cinematographic, television or video-graphic work shall enjoy
the right of authorship in the work, while the other rights included in
the copyright shall be enjoyed by the producer of the work.
The authors of screenplay, musical works and other works that are included
in a cinematographic, television or video-graphic work and can be
exploited separately shall be entitled to exercise their copyright
independently.
Article 16
A work created by a citizen in the fulfillment of tasks assigned to him by
a legal person or entity without legal personality shall be deemed to be a
work created in the course of employment. The copyright in such a work
shall, subject to the provisions of the second paragraph of this Article,
be enjoyed by the author, provided that the legal person or entity without
legal personality shall have a right of priority to exploit the work
within the scope of its professional activities. During the two years
after the completion of the work, the author may not, without the consent
of the legal person or entity without legal personality, authorize a third
party to exploit the work int the same way as the legal person or entity
without legal personality does. The author of a work created in the
course of employment in one of the following circumstances shall enjoy the
right of authorship, while the legal person or entity without legal
personality shall enjoy the other rights included in the copyright and may
reward the author:
(1) drawings of engineering designs and product designs and descriptions
thereof; computer software; maps and other works created in the course of
employment mainly with the material and technical resources of the legal
person or entity without legal personality and under its responsibility;
(2) works created in the course of employment where the copyright is, in
accordance with laws, administrative rules and regulations or contracts
concerned, enjoyed by the legal person or entity without legal
personality.
Article 17
The ownership of copyright in a commissioned work shall be agreed upon in
a contract between the commissioning and the commissioned parties. In the
absence of a contract or of an explicit agreement in the contract, the
copyright in such a work shall belong to the commissioned party.
Article 18
The transfer of ownership of the original copy of a work of fine art, or
other works, shall not be deemed to include the transfer of the copyright
in such work, provided that the right to exhibit the original copy of a
work of fine art shall be enjoyed by the owner of such original copy.
Article 19
Where the copyright in a work belongs to a citizen, the right of
exploitation and the right to remuneration in respect of the work shall,
after his death, during the term of protection provided for in this Law,
be transferred in accordance with the provisions of the Law of Succession.
Where the copyright in a work belongs to a legal person or entity without
legal personality, the right of exploitation and the right to remuneration
shall, after the change or the termination of the legal person or entity
without legal personality, during the term of protection provided for in
this Law, be enjoyed by the succeeding legal person or entity without
legal personality which has taken over the former's rights and
obligations, or, in the absence of such a successor entity, by the state.
Section 3 Term of Protection of Rights
Article 20
The term of protection of the rights of authorship, alteration, and
integrity of an author shall be unlimited.
Article 21
The term of protection of the right of publication, the right of
exploitation and the right to remuneration in respect of a work of a
citizen shall be the life time of the author and fifty years after his
death, expiring on December 31 of the fiftieth year after his death. In
the case of a work of joint authorship, such term shall expire on December
31 of the fiftieth year after the death of the last surviving author. The
term of protection of the right of publication, the right of exploitation
and the right to remuneration in respect of a work where the copyright
belongs to a legal person or entity without legal personality, or in
respect of a work created in the course of employment where the legal
person or entity without legal personality enjoys the copyright (except
the right of authorship), shall be fifty years, expiring on December 31 of
the fiftieth year after the first publication of such work, provided that
any such work that has not been published within fifty years after the
completion of its creation shall no longer be protected under this Law.
The term of protection of the right of publication, the right of
exploitation and the right to remuneration in respect of a
cinematographic, television, video-graphic or photographic work shall be
fifty years, expiring on December 31 of the fiftieth year after the first
publication of such work, provided that any such work that has not been
published within fifty years after the completion of its creation shall no
longer be protected under this Law.
Section 4 Limitations on Rights
Article 22
In the following cases, a work may be used without permission from, and
without payment of remuneration to, the copyright owner, provided that the
name of the author and the title of the work shall be indicated and the
other rights enjoyed by the copyright owner by virtue of this Law shall
not be prejudiced:
(1) use of a published work of others for the user's own private study,
research or self entertainment;
(2) appropriate quotation from a published work of others in one's work
for the purposes of introduction to, or comment on, a work, or
demonstration of a point;
(3) use of a published work in newspapers, periodicals, radio programmes,
television programmes or newsreels for the purpose of reporting current
affairs;
(4) reprinting by newspapers or periodicals, or rebroadcasting by radio
stations or television stations, of editorials or commentator's articles
published by other newspapers, periodicals, radio stations or television
stations;
(5) publication in newspapers or periodicals, or broadcasting by radio
stations or television stations, of a speech delivered at a public
gathering, except where the author has declared that the publication or
broadcasting is not permitted;
(6) translation or reproduction in a small quantity of copies, of a
published work for use by teachers or scientific researchers, in classroom
teaching or scientific research, provided that the translation or
reproduction shall not be published or distributed;
(7) use of a published work by a state organ for the purpose of performing
its official duties;
(8) reproduction of a work in its collections by a library, an archives
center, a memorial hall, a museum, an art gallery or a similar
institution, for the purposes of display, or preservation of a copy, of
the work;
(9) free performance of a published work;
(10) copying, drawing, photographing, or video recording of an artistic
work located or on display in an outdoor public place;
(11) translation of a published work from the language of the Han
nationality into minority nationality languages for publication and
distribution in the country;
(12) transliteration of a published work into Braille and publication of
the work so transliterated.
The above limitations on rights shall be applicable also to the rights of
publishers, performers, producers of sound recordings and video
recordings, radio stations and television stations.
Chapter III Copyright Licensing Contracts
Article 23
Anyone who exploits a work created by others shall, except where no
permission is required in accordance with the provisions of this Law,
conclude a contract with, or otherwise obtain permission from, the
copyright owner.
Article 24
A contract shall include the following basic clauses:
(1) the manner of exploitation of the work covered by the license;
(2) the exclusive or nonexclusive nature of the right to exploit the work
covered by the license;
(3) the scope and term of the license;
(4) the amount of remuneration and the method of its payment;
(5) the liability for breach of contract; and
(6) any other matter which the contracting parties consider necessary.
Article 25
Without permission from the copyright owner, the other party to the
contract shall not exercise the right which the copyright owner has not
explicitly licensed in the contract.
Article 26
The term of validity of a contract shall not exceed ten years. The
contract may be renewed on expiration of that term.
Article 27
The tariffs of remuneration for the exploitation of works shall be
established by the copyright administration department under the State
Council jointly with other departments concerned.
Where otherwise agreed to in a contract, remuneration may be paid in
accordance with the terms of the said contract.
Article 28
Publishers, performers, producers of sound recordings and video
recordings, radio stations, television stations and other entities who or
which have, pursuant to this Law, obtained the right of exploitation
included in the copyright of others, shall not prejudice such authors'
rights of authorship, alteration, integrity and their right to
remuneration.
Chapter IV Publication, Performance, Sound Recording, Video Recor- ding and Broadcasting
Section 1 Publication of Books, Newspapers and Periodicals
Article 29
A book publisher who publishes a book shall conclude a publishing contract
with, and pay remuneration to, the copyright owner.
Article 30
A book publisher shall, during the term of the contract, have an exclusive
right to publish the work delivered to him for publication by the
copyright owner. The term of the exclusive right to publish the work,
enjoyed by the book publisher as specified in the contract, shall not
exceed ten years. The contract may be renewed on expiration of that term.
The exclusive right to publish a work enjoyed by the book publisher shall,
during the term specified in the contract, be protected by law, and the
work may not be published by others.
Article 31
The copyright owner shall deliver the work to the publisher within the
time limit specified in the contract. The book publisher shall publish the
work according to the quality requirements and within the time limit
specified in the contract. The book publisher shall bear the civil
liability in accordance with the provisions of Article 47 of this Law if
he fails to publish the work within the time limit specified in the
contract.
The book publisher shall notify, and pay remuneration to, the copyright
owner when the work is to be reprinted or republished. If the book
publisher refuses to reprint or republish the work when the stocks of the
book are exhausted, the copyright owner shall have the right to terminate
the contract.
Article 32
Where a copyright owner has submitted the manuscript of his work to a
newspaper or a periodical publisher for publication and has not received
any notification of the said publisher's decision to publish the work,
within fifteen days from the newspaper publisher or within thirty days
from the periodical publisher from the date of submission of the
manuscript, the copyright owner may submit the manuscript of the same work
to another newspaper or periodical publisher for publication unless the
two parties have agreed otherwise.
After a work is published in a newspaper or a periodical, other newspaper
or periodical publisher may, except where the copyright owner has declared
that reprinting or excerpting is not permitted, reprint the work or print
an abstract of it or print it as reference material, but such other
publishers shall pay remuneration to the copyright owner as prescribed in
regulations.
Article 33
A book publisher may alter or abridge a work with the permission of the
copyright owner. A newspaper publisher or periodical publisher may make
editorial modifications and abridgments in a work, but shall not make any
modifications in the content of the work unless permission has been
obtained from the author.
Article 34
When publishing a work created by adaptation, translation, annotation,
arrangement or compilation of a pre-existing work, the publisher shall pay
remuneration both to the owner of the copyright in the work created by
adaptation, translation, annotation, arrangement or compilation, and to
the owner of the copyright in the original work.
Section 2 Performance
Article 35
A performer (an individual performer or a performing troupe) who for a
performance exploits an unpublished work created by others shall obtain
permission from, and pay remuneration to, the copyright owner.
A performer who for a commercial performance exploits a published work
created by others does not need permission from, but shall, as prescribed
by regulations, pay remuneration to the copyright owner; such work shall
not be exploited where the copyright owner has declared that such
exploitation is not permitted.
A performer who for a commercial performance exploits a work created by
adaptation, translation, annotation or arrangement of a pre-existing work
shall pay remuneration both to the owner of the copyright in the work
created by adaptation, translation, annotation or arrangement and to the
owner of the copyright in the original work. Where a performer performs a
work created by others for the purpose of producing a sound recording,
video recording, radio programme or television programme, the provisions
of Article 37 and 40 of this Law shall apply.
Article 36
A performer shall, in relation to his performance, enjoy the right:
(1) to claim performership;
(2) to protect the image inherent in his performance from distortion;
(3) to authorize others to make live broadcasts; and
(4) to authorize others to make sound recordings and video recordings for
commercial purposes, and to receive remuneration therefor.
Section 3 Sound Recording and Video Recording
Article 37
A producer of sound recordings who, for the production of a sound
recording, exploits an unpublished work created by others shall obtain
permission from, and pay remuneration to, the copyright owner. A producer
of sound recordings who, for the production of a sound recording, exploits
a published work created by others, does not need permission from, but
shall, as prescribed by regulations, pay remuneration to, the copyright
owner; such work shall not be exploited where the copyright owner has
declared that such exploitation is not permitted.
A producer of video recordings who, for the production of a video
recording, exploits a work created by others shall obtain permission from,
and pay remuneration to, the copyright owner.
A producer of sound recordings or video recordings who exploits a work
created by adaptation, translation, annotation or arrangement of a pre-
existing work shall pay remuneration both to the owner of the copyright in
the work created by adaptation, translation, annotation or arrangement,
and to the owner of the copyright in the original work.
Article 38
When producing a sound recording or video recording, the producer shall
conclude a contract with, and pay remuneration to, the performer.
Article 39
A producer of sound recordings or video recordings shall have the right to
authorize others to reproduce and distribute his sound recordings or video
recordings and the right to receive remuneration therefor. The term of
protection of such rights shall be fifty years, expiring on December 31 of
the fiftieth year after the first publication of the recordings. A
producer of sound recordings or video recordings who is authorized to
reproduce and distribute a sound recording or video recording created by
others shall also pay remuneration to the copyright owner and to the
performer as prescribed by regulations.
Section 4 Broadcasting by Radio Station or Television Station
Article 40
A radio station or television station which exploits, for the production
of a radio or television programme, an unpublished work created by others,
shall obtain permission from, and pay remuneration to, the copyright
owner.
A radio station or television station which exploits, for the production
of a radio or television programme, a published work created by others
does not need permission from the copyright owner, but such a work shall
not be exploited where the copyright owner has declared that such
exploitation is not permitted. In addition, remuneration shall be paid as
prescribed by regulations unless this Law provides that no remuneration
needs to be paid.
A radio station or television station which exploits, for the production
of a radio or television programme, a work created by adaptation,
translation, annotation, or arrangement of a pre-existing work, shall pay
remuneration both to the owner of the copyright in the work created by
adaptation, translation, annotation or arrangement and to the owner of the
copyright in the original work.
Article 41
When producing a radio or television programme, the radio station or
television station shall conclude a contract with, and pay remuneration
to, the performer.
Article 42
A radio station or television station shall, in respect of a programme
produced by it, enjoy the right:
(1) to broadcast the programme;
(2) to authorize others to broadcast the programme, and to receive
remuneration therefor; and
(3) to authorize others to reproduce and distribute the radio or
television programme, and to receive remuneration therefor.
The term of protection of the rights specified in the preceding paragraph
shall be fifty years, expiring on December 31 of the fiftieth year after
the first broadcasting of the programme.
A producer of sound recordings or video recordings who is authorized to
reproduce and distribute a radio or television programme shall also pay
remuneration to the copyright owner and the performer as prescribed by
regulations.
Article 43
A radio station or television station may broadcast, for noncommercial
purposes, a published sound recording without seeking permission from, or
paying remuneration to, the copyright owner, performer and producer of the
sound recording.
Article 44
A television station which broadcasts a cinematographic, television or
video-graphic work produced by others shall obtain permission from, and
pay remuneration to, the producer of the cinematographic, television or
video-graphic work.
Chapter V Legal Liability
Article 45
Anyone who commits any of the following acts of infringement shall bear
civil liability for such remedies as ceasing the infringing act,
eliminating its ill effects, making a public apology or paying
compensation or damages, etc., depending on the circumstances:
(1) publishing a work without the permission of the copyright owner;
(2) publishing a work of joint authorship as a work created solely by
oneself without the permission of the other co-authors;
(3) having one's name indicated on a work created by others, in order to
seek personal fame and gain, where one has not participated in the
creation of the work;
(4) distorting or mutilating a work created by others;
(5) exploiting a work by performance, broadcasting, exhibition,
distribution, making cinematographic, television or video productions,
adaptation, translation, annotation, and compilation, or by other means,
without the permission of the copyright owner, unless otherwise provided
in this Law;
(6) exploiting a work created by others without paying remuneration as
prescribed by regulations;
(7) broadcasting a live performance without the permission of the
performer; or (8) committing other acts of infringement of copyright and
of other rights and interests related to copyright.
Article 46
Anyone who commits any of the following acts of infringement shall bear
civil liability for such remedies as ceasing the infringing act,
eliminating its ill effects, making a public apology or paying
compensation for damages, etc., depending on the circumstances, and may,
in addition, be subjected by the copyright administration department to
such administrative penalties as confiscation of unlawful income from the
act, or imposition of a fine:
(1) plagiarizing a work created by others;
(2) reproducing and distributing a work, for commercial purposes, without
the permission of the copyright owner;
(3) publishing a book where the exclusive right of publication belongs to
another publisher;
(4) producing and publishing a sound recording or video recording of a
performance without the permission of the performer;
(5) reproducing and distributing a sound recording or video recording
produced by others without the permission of its producer;
(6) reproducing and distributing a radio programme or television programme
without the permission of the radio station or television station which
has produced that programme; or
(7) producing or selling a work of fine art where the signature of the
author is forged.
Article 47
A party who fails to perform his contractual obligations, or performs them
in a manner which is not in conformity with the agreed terms shall bear
civil liability in accordance with the relevant provisions of the General
Principles of the Civil Law.
Article 48
A dispute over copyright infringement may be settled by mediation. If
mediation is unsuccessful, or if one of the parties retracts from his
promise after a mediation agreement is reached, proceedings may be
instituted in a people's court. Proceedings may also instituted directly
in a people's court if the parties do not wish to settle the dispute by
mediation.
Article 49
A dispute over a copyright contract may be settled by mediation. It may
also, in accordance with the arbitration clause of contract, or a written
arbitration agreement concluded after the contract has been signed, be
submitted to a copyright arbitration body for arbitration.
The parties shall implement the arbitration award. If one of the parties
fails to implement the award, the other party may apply to a people's
court for execution. If the people's court which has been requested to
execute an arbitration award finds that the arbitration award is contrary
to law, it shall have the right to refuse the execution.
Where the people's court refuses to execute an arbitration award, the
parties may institute proceedings in a people's court for contractual
dispute.
Where no arbitration clause is stipulated in the contract and no written
arbitration agreement is concluded after the contract has been signed, any
party may institute proceedings directly in a people's court.
Article 50
Any party who is not satisfied with an administrative penalty may
institute proceedings in a people's court within three months from receipt
of the written decision of the administrative penalty. If the party
neither institutes proceedings nor executes the decision within the time
limit, the copyright administration department may apply to a people's
court for execution.
Chapter VI Supplementary Provisions
Article 51
For the purpose of this Law, the term "zhuzuoquan" (author's rights) is
synonymous with the term "banquan" (copyright).
Article 52
The term "reproduction" as used in this Law means the act of producing one
or more copies of a work by printing, photocopying, copying,
lithographing, making a sound recording or video recording, duplicating a
recording, or duplicating a photographic work or by other means.
The term "reproduction" as used in this Law does not cover the
construction or manufacture of industrial products on the basis of
drawings of engineering designs and product designs, and descriptions
thereof.
Article 53
Measures for the protection of computer software shall be established
separately by the State Council.
Article 54
The implementing regulations of this Law shall be drawn up by the
copyright administration department under the State Council and shall
enter into force after approval by the State Council.
Article 55
The rights of copyright owners, publishers, performers, producers of sound
recordings and video recordings, radio stations and television stations as
provided for in this Law shall, if their term of protection as specified
in this Law has not yet expired on the date of entry into force of this
Law, be protected in accordance with this Law. Any act of infringement or
breach of contract committed prior to the entry into force of this Law
shall be dealt with in accordance with the relevant regulations or
policies in force at the time when such act was committed.
Article 56
This Law shall enter into force as of June 1, 1991.
Note:
[*1] This English version is the preliminary English translation provided
by the Legislative Affairs Commission of the Standing Committee of the
National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China. It shall be
republished after being further revised and finalized by the Legislative
Affairs Commission of the Standing Committee of the National People's
Congress of the People's Republic of China. - The Editor