WHAT 著作权 MEANS
What 著作权 means
Copyright generally arises by law rather than only through registration. The protected rights include personal and economic rights, subject to ownership, duration and statutory exceptions.
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Why the role matters
For software, marketing content and creative assets, businesses should document authorship, employment / commissioning terms and licences even when no registration certificate exists.
CONTEXT
Where you see the term
ContextWhat it means there
Software developmentSource code and documentation may be protected works.
MarketingImages, text and videos require rights clearance.
LicensingEconomic rights can be licensed or transferred within legal limits.
TRANSLATION NOTE
文/A
Translation note
著作权 literally means “author’s rights” and is the statutory term; “copyright” is the standard English equivalent.
AUTHORITY
Primary legal basis
ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE
Example
A China subsidiary pays an agency to create a campaign video. Ownership and permitted uses should be fixed in writing rather than assumed from payment alone.
SOURCES AND REVIEW
Primary authorities.
18 Sep 2026
OFFICIAL SOURCESUPPORTSCHECKED
PRC Copyright Law
PRC Copyright Law
MAINTAINED BYChina Legal Portal Editorial
LAST REVIEWED