Decade-Long Revision of the New Copyright Law

On 11 November 2020,the Decision on Amending the Copyright Law of the People's Republic of China was deliberated and adopted at the 23 rd session of the Standing Committee of the 13th National People's Congress(NPC)and will come into force on 1 June 2021.That is a long-awaited event for copyright owners and practioners.

The Copyright Law is a specialized intellectual property law which involves complicated legal relations, numerous adjusted subjects and extensive coverage.It is the third time that the Copyright Law has been revised,which lasted a decade from July 2011 to November 2020.(https://www.daowen.com)

This revision of the Copyright Law actively responds to social concerns and makes a series of new designs and new arrangements,based on realistic demands of China's economic,social and cultural development,in a bid to solve the new issues reflected in the development of new technologies, new industries and emerging business formats,as well as problems that have long plagued right holders, such as dif ficulties in adducing evidence and safeguarding rights, high costs in safeguarding rights and low damages for infringement.The new Copyright Law consists of 67 articles, which is six more than the current Copyright Law.Now the author is going to briefly review the legislative evolution of China's Copyright Law and sort out the gist of the new Copyright Law.