| 【时 效 性】 | 废止 | 【颁布日期】 | 1990-09-07 |
| 【颁布单位】 | 第七届全国人民代表大会常务委员会/中华人民共和国主席 | 【实施日期】 | |
| 【法规层次】 | 法律及有关法律问题的决定 | 【文 号】 | 主席令〔1990〕31号 |
| 【首选类别】 | 国家基本法规 | 【次选类别】 | |
| 【其它类别】 | 【其它类别】 | ||
| 【关 键 字】 | 中华人民共和国著作权法 | ||
1990年9月7日第七届全国人民代表大会常务委员会第十五次会议通过、中华人民共和国主席令[1990]第31号公布、1991年6月1日起施行
《中华人民共和国著作权法》已由中华人民共和国第七届全国人民代表大会常务委员会第十五次会议于1990年9月7日通过，现予公布，自1991年6月1日起施行。
第一条 为保护文学、艺术和科学作品作者的著作权，以及与著作权有关的权益，鼓励有益于社会主义精神文明、物质文明建设的作品的创作和传播，促进社会主义文化和科学事业的发展与繁荣，根据宪法制定本法。
第二条 中国公民、法人或者非法人单位的作品，不论是否发表，依照本法享有著作权。 外国人的作品首先在中国境内发表的，依照本法享有著作权。 外国人在中国境内发表的作品，根据其所属国同中国签订的协议或者共同参加的国际条约享有的著作权，受本法保护。
第三条 本法所称的作品，包括以下列形式创作的文学、艺术和自然科学、社会科学、工程技术等作品： （一）文字作品； （二）口述作品； （三）音乐、戏剧、曲艺、舞蹈作品； （四）美术、摄影作品； （五）电影、电视、录像作品； （六）工程设计、产品设计图纸及其说明； （七）地图、示意图等图形作品； （八）计算机软件； （九）法律、行政法规规定的其他作品。
第四条 依法禁止出版、传播的作品，不受本法保护。 著作权人行使著作权，不得违反宪法和法律，不得损害公共利益。
第五条 本法不适用于： （一）法律、法规，国家机关的决议、决定、命令和其他具有立法、行政、司法性质的文件，及其官方正式译文； （二）时事新闻； （三）历法、数表、通用表格和公式。
第七条 科学技术作品中应当由专利法、技术合同法等法律保护的，适用专利法、技术合同法等法律的规定。
第八条 国务院著作权行政管理部门主管全国的著作权管理工作；各省、自治区、直辖市人民政府的著作权行政管理部门主管本行政区域的著作权管理工作。
第九条 著作权人包括： （一）作者； （二）其他依照本法享有著作权的公民、法人或者非法人单位。
第十条 著作权包括下列人身权和财产权： （一）发表权，即决定作品是否公之于众的权利； （二）署名权，即表明作者身份，在作品上署名的权利； （三）修改权，即修改或者授权他人修改作品的权利； （四）保护作品完整权，即保护作品不受歪曲、篡改的权利； （五）使用权和获得报酬权，即以复制、表演、播放、展览、发行、摄制电影、电视、录像或者改编、翻译、注释、编辑等方式使用作品的权利；以及许可他人以上述方式使用作品，并由此获得报酬的权利。
第十一条 著作权属于作者，本法另有规定的除外。 创作作品的公民是作者。 由法人或者非法人单位主持，代表法人或者非法人单位意志创作，并由法人或者非法人单位承担责任的作品，法人或者非法人单位视为作者。 如无相反证明，在作品上署名的公民、法人或者非法人单位为作者。
第十二条 改编、翻译、注释、整理已有作品而产生的作品，其著作权由改编、翻译、注释、整理人享有，但行使著作权时，不得侵犯原作品的著作权。
第十三条 两人以上合作创作的作品，著作权由合作作者共同享有。没有参加创作的人，不能成为合作作者。 合作作品可以分割使用的，作者对各自创作的部分可以单独享有著作权，但行使著作权时不得侵犯合作作品整体的著作权。
第十四条 编辑作品由编辑人享有著作权，但行使著作权时，不得侵犯原作品的著作权。 编辑作品中可以单独使用的作品的作者有权单独行使其著作权。
第十五条 电影、电视、录像作品的导演、编剧、作词、作曲、摄影等作者享有署名权，著作权的其他权利由制作电影、电视、录像作品的制片者享有。 电影、电视、录像作品中剧本、音乐等可以单独使用的作品的作者有权单独行使其著作权。
第十六条 公民为完成法人或者非法人单位工作任务所创作的作品是职务作品，除本条第二款的规定以外，著作权由作者享有，但法人或者非法人单位有权在其业务范围内优先使用。作品完成两年内，未经单位同意，作者不得许可第三人以与单位使用的相同方式使用该作品。 有下列情形之一的职务作品，作者享有署名权，著作权的其他权利由法人或者非法人单位享有，法人或者非法人单位可以给予作者奖励： （一）主要是利用法人或者非法人单位的物质技术条件创作，并由法人或者非法人单位承担责任的工程设计、产品设计图纸及其说明、计算机软件、地图等职务作品； （二）法律、行政法规规定或者合同约定著作权由法人或者非法人单位享有的职务作品。
第十七条 受委托创作的作品，著作权的归属由委托人和受托人通过合同约定。合同未作明确约定或者没有订立合同的，著作权属于受托人。
第十八条 美术等作品原件所有权的转移，不视为作品著作权的转移，但美术作品原件的展览权由原件所有人享有。
第十九条 著作权属于公民的，公民死亡后，其作品的使用权和获得报酬权在本法规定的保护期内，依照继承法的规定转移。 著作权属于法人或者非法人单位的，法人或者非法人单位变更、终止后，其作品的使用权和获得报酬权在本法规定的保护期内，由承受其权利义务的法人或者非法人单位享有；没有承受其权利义务的法人或者非法人单位的，由国家享有。
第二十条 作者的署名权、修改权、保护作品完整权的保护期不受限制。
第二十一条 公民的作品，其发表权、使用权和获得报酬权的保护期为作者终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。 法人或者非法人单位的作品、著作权（署名权除外）由法人或者非法人单位享有的职务作品，其发表权、使用权和获得报酬权的保护期为五十年，截止于作品首次发表后第五十年的12月31日，但作品自创作完成后五十年内未发表的，本法不再保护。 电影、电视、录像和摄影作品的发表权、使用权和获得报酬权的保护期为五十年，截止于作品首次发表后第五十年的12月31日，但作品自创作完成后五十年内未发表的，本法不再保护。
第二十二条 在下列情况下使用作品，可以不经著作权人许可，不向其支付报酬，但应当指明作者姓名、作品名称，并且不得侵犯著作权人依照本法享有的其他权利： （一）为个人学习、研究或者欣赏，使用他人已经发表的作品； （二）为介绍、评论某一作品或者说明某一问题，在作品中适当引用他人已经发表的作品； （三）为报道时事新闻，在报纸、期刊、广播、电视节目或者新闻纪录影片中引用已经发表的作品； （四）报纸、期刊、广播电台、电视台刊登或者播放其他报纸、期刊、广播电台、电视台已经发表的社论、评论员文章； （五）报纸、期刊、广播电台、电视台刊登或者播放在公众集会上发表的讲话，但作者声明不许刊登、播放的除外； （六）为学校课堂教学或者科学研究，翻译或者少量复制已经发表的作品，供教学或者科研人员使用，但不得出版发行； （七）国家机关为执行公务使用已经发表的作品； （八）图书馆、档案馆、纪念馆、博物馆、美术馆等为陈列或者保存版本的需要，复制本馆收藏的作品； （九）免费表演已经发表的作品； （十）对设置或者陈列在室外公共场所的艺术作品进行临摹、绘画、摄影、录像； （十一）将已经发表的汉族文字作品翻译成少数民族文字在国内出版发行； （十二）将已经发表的作品改成盲文出版。 以上规定适用于对出版者、表演者、录音录像制作者、广播电台、电视台的权利的限制。
第二十三条 使用他人作品应当同著作权人订立合同或者取得许可，本法规定可以不经许可的除外。
第二十四条 合同包括下列主要条款： （一）许可使用作品的方式； （二）许可使用的权利是专有使用权或者非专有使用权； （三）许可使用的范围、期间； （四）付酬标准和办法； （五）违约责任； （六）双方认为需要约定的其他内容。
第二十五条 合同中著作权人未明确许可的权利，未经著作权人许可，另一方当事人不得行使。
第二十七条 使用作品的付酬标准由国务院著作权行政管理部门会同有关部门制定。 合同另有约定的，也可以按照合同支付报酬。
第二十八条 出版者、表演者、录音录像制作者、广播电台、电视台等依照本法取得他人的著作权使用权的，不得侵犯作者的署名权、修改权、保护作品完整权和获得报酬权。
第二十九条 图书出版者出版图书应当和著作权人订立出版合同，并支付报酬。
第三十条 图书出版者对著作权人交付出版的作品，在合同约定期间享有专有出版权。合同约定图书出版者享有专有出版权的期限不得超过十年，合同期满可以续订。 图书出版者在合同约定期间享有的专有出版权受法律保护，他人不得出版该作品。
第三十一条 著作权人应当按照合同约定期限交付作品。图书出版者应当按照合同约定的出版质量、期限出版图书。 图书出版者不按照合同约定期限出版，应当依照本法第四十七条的规定承担民事责任。 图书出版者重印、再版作品的，应当通知著作权人，并支付报酬。图书脱销后，图书出版者拒绝重印、再版的，著作权人有权终止合同。
第三十二条 著作权人向报社、杂志社投稿的，自稿件发出之日起十五日内未收到报社通知决定刊登的，或者自稿件发出之日起三十日内未收到杂志社通知决定刊登的，可以将同一作品向其他报社、杂志社投稿。双方另有约定的除外。 作品刊登后，除著作权人声明不得转载、摘编的外，其他报刊可以转载或者作为文摘、资料刊登，但应当按照规定向著作权人支付报酬。
第三十三条 图书出版者经作者许可，可以对作品修改、删节。 报社、杂志社可以对作品作文字性修改、删节，对内容的修改，应当经作者许可。
第三十四条 出版改编、翻译、注释、整理、编辑已有作品而产生的作品，应当向改编、翻译、注释、整理、编辑作品的著作权人和原作品的著作权人支付报酬。
第三十五条 表演者（演员、演出单位）使用他人未发表的作品演出，应当取得著作权人许可，并支付报酬。 表演者使用他人已发表的作品进行营业性演出，可以不经著作权人许可，但应当按照规定支付报酬；著作权人声明不许使用的不得使用。 表演者使用改编、翻译、注释、整理已有作品而产生的作品进行营业性演出，应当按照规定向改编、翻译、注释、整理作品的著作权人和原作品的著作权人支付报酬。 表演者为制作录音录像和广播、电视节目进行表演使用他人作品的，适用本法第三十七条、第四十条的规定。
第三十六条 表演者对其表演享有下列权利： （一）表明表演者身份； （二）保护表演者形象不受歪曲； （三）许可他人从现场直播； （四）许可他人为营利目的录音录像，并获得报酬。
第三十七条 录音制作者使用他人未发表的作品制作录音制品，应当取得著作权人的许可，并支付报酬。使用他人已发表的作品制作录音制品，可以不经著作权人许可，但应当按照规定支付报酬；著作权人声明不许使用的不得使用。 录像制作者使用他人作品制作录像制品，应当取得著作权人的许可，并支付报酬。 录音录像制作者使用改编、翻译、注释、整理已有作品而产生的作品，应当向改编、翻译、注释、整理作品的著作权人和原作品的著作权人支付报酬。
第三十八条 录音录像制作者制作录音录像制品，应当同表演者订立合同，并支付报酬。
第三十九条 录音录像制作者对其制作的录音录像制品，享有许可他人复制发行并获得报酬的权利。该权利的保护期为五十年，截止于该制品首次出版后第五十年的12月31日。 被许可复制发行的录音录像制作者还应当按照规定向著作权人和表演者支付报酬。
第四十条 广播电台、电视台使用他人未发表的作品制作广播、电视节目，应当取得著作权人的许可，并支付报酬。 广播电台、电视台使用他人已发表的作品制作广播、电视节目，可以不经著作权人许可，但著作权人声明不许使用的不得使用；并且除本法规定可以不支付报酬的以外，应当按照规定支付报酬。 广播电台、电视台使用改编、翻译、注释、整理已有作品而产生的作品制作广播、电视节目，应当向改编、翻译、注释、整理作品的著作权人和原作品的著作权人支付报酬。
第四十一条 广播电台、电视台制作广播、电视节目，应当同表演者订立合同，并支付报酬。
第四十二条 广播电台、电视台对其制作的广播、电视节目，享有下列权利： （一）播放； （二）许可他人播放，并获得报酬； （三）许可他人复制发行其制作的广播、电视节目，并获得报酬。 前款规定的权利的保护期为五十年，截止于该节目首次播放后第五十年的12月31日。 被许可复制发行的录音录像制作者还应当按照规定向著作权人和表演者支付报酬。
第四十三条 广播电台、电视台非营业性播放已经出版的录音制品，可以不经著作权人、表演者、录音制作者许可，不向其支付报酬。
第四十四条 电视台播放他人的电影、电视和录像，应当取得电影、电视制片者和录像制作者的许可，并支付报酬。
第四十五条 有下列侵权行为的，应当根据情况，承担停止侵害、消除影响、公开赔礼道歉、赔偿损失等民事责任： （一）未经著作权人许可，发表其作品的； （二）未经合作作者许可，将与他人合作创作的作品当作自己单独创作的作品发表的； （三）没有参加创作，为谋取个人名利，在他人作品上署名的； （四）歪曲、篡改他人作品的； （五）未经著作权人许可，以表演、播放、展览、发行、摄制电影、电视、录像或者改编、翻译、注释、编辑等方式使用作品的，本法另有规定的除外； （六）使用他人作品，未按照规定支付报酬的； （七）未经表演者许可，从现场直播其表演的； （八）其他侵犯著作权以及与著作权有关的权益的行为。
第四十六条 有下列侵权行为的，应当根据情况，承担停止侵害、消除影响、公开赔礼道歉、赔偿损失等民事责任，并可以由著作权行政管理部门给予没收非法所得、罚款等行政处罚： （一）剽窃、抄袭他人作品的； （二）未经著作权人许可，以营利为目的，复制发行其作品的； （三）出版他人享有专有出版权的图书的； （四）未经表演者许可，对其表演制作录音录像出版的； （五）未经录音录像制作者许可，复制发行其制作的录音录像的； （六）未经广播电台、电视台许可，复制发行其制作的广播、电视节目的； （七）制作、出售假冒他人署名的美术作品的。
第四十七条 当事人不履行合同义务或者履行合同义务不符合约定条件的，应当依照民法通则有关规定承担民事责任。
第四十八条 著作权侵权纠纷可以调解，调解不成或者调解达成协议后一方反悔的，可以向人民法院起诉。当事人不愿调解的，也可以直接向人民法院起诉。
第四十九条 著作权合同纠纷可以调解，也可以依据合同中的仲裁条款或者事后达成的书面仲裁协议，向著作权仲裁机构申请仲裁。 对于仲裁裁决，当事人应当履行。当事人一方不履行仲裁裁决的，另一方可以申请人民法院执行。 受申请的人民法院发现仲裁裁决违法的，有权不予执行。人民法院不予执行的，当事人可以就合同纠纷向人民法院起诉。 当事人没有在合同中订立仲裁条款，事后又没有书面仲裁协议的，可以直接向人民法院起诉。
第五十条 当事人对行政处罚不服的，可以在收到行政处罚决定书三个月内向人民法院起诉，期满不起诉又不履行的，著作权行政管理部门可以申请人民法院执行。
第五十二条 本法所称的复制，指以印刷、复印、临摹、拓印、录音、录像、翻录、翻拍等方式将作品制作一份或者多份的行为。 按照工程设计、产品设计图纸及其说明进行施工、生产工业品，不属于本法所称的复制。
第五十四条 本法的实施条例由国务院著作权行政管理部门制定，报国务院批准后施行。
第五十五条 本法规定的著作权人和出版者、表演者、录音录像制作者、广播电台、电视台的权利，在本法施行之日尚未超过本法规定的保护期的，依照本法予以保护。 本法施行前发生的侵权或者违约行为，依照侵权或者违约行为发生时的有关规定和政策处理。
COPYRIGHT LAW OF THE PEOPLE'SREPUBLIC OF CHINA [*1] Important Notice: (注意事项)
英文本源自中华人民共和国务院法制局. 当发生歧意时, 应以法律法规颁布单位发布的中文原文为准. This English document is coming from the Brueauof Legislative Affairs of the State Council of the People's Republic of China. Incase of discrepancy, the original version in Chinese shall prevail.
Chapter I General ProvisionsChapter II Copyright Section 1 Copyright Owners and TheirRights 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, SoundRecording, Video Recording and Broadcasting Section 1 Publication of Books,Newspapers and Periodicals Section 2 Performance Section 3 Sound Recording and VideoRecording Section 4 Broadcasting by Radio Stationor Television Station Chapter V Legal Liability Chapter VI Supplementary Provisions Chapter I General Provisions
Article 1 This Law is enacted, in accordance with theConstitution for the purposes of protecting the copyright of authors in theirliterary, artistic and scientific works and rights and interestsrelated to copyright, of encouraging the creation and dissemination ofworks which would contribute to the building of an advanced socialist cultureand ideology and to socialist material development, and of promotingthe development and flourishing of socialist culture and sciences.Article 2 Works of Chinese citizens, legal persons orentities without legal personality, whether published or not, shallenjoy copyright in accordance with this Law. Works of foreigners firstpublished in the territory of the People's Republic of China shall enjoycopyright in accordance with this Law. Any work of a foreigner published outside theterritory of the People's Republic of China which is eligible to enjoycopyright under an agreement concluded between the country to which theforeigner belongs and China, or under an international treaty to which bothcountries 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, socialscience, engineering technology and the like which are created in the followingforms: (1) written works; (2) oral works; (3) musical, dramatic, quyi and choreographicworks; (4) Works of fine art and photographic works;(5) cinematographic, television andvideo-graphic works; (6) drawings of engineering designs and productdesigns, and descriptions thereof; (7) maps, sketches and other graphic works;(8) computer software; (9) other works as provided for in law andadministrative rules and regulations. Article 4 Works the publication or distribution of whichis 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 publicinterests. Article 5 This law shall not be applicable to: (1) laws; regulations; resolutions, decisionsand orders of state organs; other documents of legislative, administrativeand judicial nature; and their official translations; (2) news on current affairs; and (3) calendars, numerical tables, forms ofgeneral use and formulas.
Article 6 Measures for the protection of copyright inworks of folk literature and art shall be established separately by the StateCouncil. Article 7 Where any scientific or technological work isprotected under the Patent Law, the Law on Technology Contracts or similarlaws, the provisions of those laws shall apply. Article 8 The copyright administration department underthe State Council shall be responsible for the nationwide administration ofcopyright. The copyright administration department under the people'sgovernment of each province, autonomous region and municipality directlyunder the Central Government shall be responsible for the administration ofcopyright in its respective administrative area. Chapter II Copyright
Section 1 Copyright Owners andTheir Rights Article 9 The term "copyright owners" shall include:(1) authors; and (2) other citizens, legal persons and entitieswithout legal personality enjoying copyright in accordance with this Law.Article 10 The term "copyright" shall include the followingpersonal rights and property rights: (1) the right of publication, that is, the rightto decide whether to make a work available to the public; (2) the right of authorship, that is, the rightto claim authorship and to have the author's name indicated on his works;(3) the right of alternation, that is, the rightto alter or authorize others to alter one's work; (4) the right of integrity, that is, the rightto protect one's work against distortion and mutilation; (5) the right of exploitation and the right toremuneration, that is, the right of exploiting one's work by means ofreproduction, performance, broadcasting, exhibition distribution, makingcinematographic, television or video production, adaptation, translation,annotation, compilation and the like, and the right of authorizing others toexploit one's work by the above-mentioned means, and of receivingremuneration therefor.
Section 2 Ownership of CopyrightArticle 11 Except where otherwise provided in this Law, thecopyright in a work shall belong to its author. The author of a work is the citizen who hascreated the work. Where a work is created according to the willand under the sponsorship and the responsibility of a legal or entitywithout legal personality, such legal person or entity without legalpersonality shall be deemed to be the author of the work. The citizen, legalperson or entity without legal personality whose name is indicated on awork shall, in the absence of proof to the contrary, be deemed to be theauthor of the work Article 12 Where a work is created by adaptation,translation, annotation or arrangement of a pre-existing work, thecopyright in the work thus created shall be enjoyed by the adaptor, translator orarranger, provided that the exercise of such copyright shall not prejudicethe copyright in the original work.
Article 13 Where a work is created jointly by two or moreco-authors, the copyright in the work shall be enjoyed jointly by thoseco-authors. Any person who has not participated in the creation of the workmay not claim the co- authorship. If a work of joint authorship can be separatedinto independent parts and exploited separately, each co-author may beentitled to independent copyright in the parts that he has created,provided that the exercise of such copyright shall not prejudice the copyrightin the joint work as a whole. Article 14 The copyright in a work created by compilationshall be enjoyed by the compiler, provided that the exercise of suchcopyright shall not prejudice the copyright in the preexisting works includedin the compilation. The authors of such works included in acompilation as can be exploited separately shall be entitled to exercise theircopyright in their works independently. Article 15 The director, screenwriter, lyricist, composer,cameraman and other authors of a cinematographic, television orvideo-graphic work shall enjoy the right of authorship in the work, while theother rights included in the copyright shall be enjoyed by the producerof the work. The authors of screenplay, musical works andother works that are included in a cinematographic, television orvideo-graphic work and can be exploited separately shall be entitled toexercise their copyright independently. Article 16 A work created by a citizen in the fulfillmentof tasks assigned to him by a legal person or entity without legalpersonality shall be deemed to be a work created in the course of employment. Thecopyright in such a work shall, subject to the provisions of the secondparagraph of this Article, be enjoyed by the author, provided that thelegal person or entity without legal personality shall have a right of priorityto exploit the work within the scope of its professional activities.During the two years after the completion of the work, the author maynot, without the consent of the legal person or entity without legalpersonality, authorize a third party to exploit the work int the same way asthe legal person or entity without legal personality does. The author of awork created in the course of employment in one of the followingcircumstances shall enjoy the right of authorship, while the legal person orentity without legal personality shall enjoy the other rightsincluded in the copyright and may reward the author: (1) drawings of engineering designs and productdesigns and descriptions thereof; computer software; maps and other workscreated in the course of employment mainly with the material andtechnical resources of the legal person or entity without legal personality andunder its responsibility; (2) works created in the course of employmentwhere the copyright is, in accordance with laws, administrative rules andregulations or contracts concerned, enjoyed by the legal person or entitywithout legal personality.
Article 17 The ownership of copyright in a commissionedwork shall be agreed upon in a contract between the commissioning and thecommissioned parties. In the absence of a contract or of an explicitagreement in the contract, the copyright in such a work shall belong to thecommissioned party. Article 18 The transfer of ownership of the original copyof a work of fine art, or other works, shall not be deemed to include thetransfer of the copyright in such work, provided that the right to exhibitthe original copy of a work of fine art shall be enjoyed by the ownerof such original copy. Article 19 Where the copyright in a work belongs to acitizen, the right of exploitation and the right to remuneration inrespect of the work shall, after his death, during the term of protectionprovided for in this Law, be transferred in accordance with the provisionsof the Law of Succession. Where the copyright in a work belongs to a legalperson or entity without legal personality, the right of exploitation andthe right to remuneration shall, after the change or the termination ofthe legal person or entity without legal personality, during the term ofprotection provided for in this Law, be enjoyed by the succeeding legalperson or entity without legal personality which has taken over theformer's rights and obligations, or, in the absence of such asuccessor entity, by the state.
Section 3 Term of Protection ofRights Article 20 The term of protection of the rights ofauthorship, alteration, and integrity of an author shall be unlimited.Article 21 The term of protection of the right ofpublication, the right of exploitation and the right to remuneration inrespect of a work of a citizen shall be the life time of the author andfifty years after his death, expiring on December 31 of the fiftiethyear after his death. In the case of a work of joint authorship, suchterm shall expire on December 31 of the fiftieth year after the death of thelast surviving author. The term of protection of the right of publication,the right of exploitation and the right to remuneration in respect of awork where the copyright belongs to a legal person or entity withoutlegal personality, or in respect of a work created in the course ofemployment where the legal person or entity without legal personalityenjoys the copyright (except the right of authorship), shall be fifty years,expiring on December 31 of the fiftieth year after the first publication ofsuch work, provided that any such work that has not been published withinfifty years after the completion of its creation shall no longer beprotected under this Law. The term of protection of the right ofpublication, the right of exploitation and the right to remuneration inrespect of a cinematographic, television, video-graphic orphotographic work shall be fifty years, expiring on December 31 of thefiftieth year after the first publication of such work, provided that any suchwork that has not been published within fifty years after thecompletion of its creation shall no longer be protected under this Law.
Section 4 Limitations on RightsArticle 22 In the following cases, a work may be usedwithout permission from, and without payment of remuneration to, thecopyright owner, provided that the name of the author and the title of the workshall be indicated and the other rights enjoyed by the copyright owner byvirtue of this Law shall not be prejudiced: (1) use of a published work of others for theuser's own private study, research or self entertainment; (2) appropriate quotation from a published workof others in one's work for the purposes of introduction to, or commenton, a work, or demonstration of a point; (3) use of a published work in newspapers,periodicals, radio programmes, television programmes or newsreels for thepurpose of reporting current affairs; (4) reprinting by newspapers or periodicals, orrebroadcasting by radio stations or television stations, of editorialsor commentator's articles published by other newspapers, periodicals,radio stations or television stations; (5) publication in newspapers or periodicals, orbroadcasting by radio stations or television stations, of a speechdelivered at a public gathering, except where the author has declaredthat the publication or broadcasting is not permitted; (6) translation or reproduction in a smallquantity of copies, of a published work for use by teachers or scientificresearchers, in classroom teaching or scientific research, provided thatthe translation or reproduction shall not be published ordistributed; (7) use of a published work by a state organ forthe purpose of performing its official duties; (8) reproduction of a work in its collections bya library, an archives center, a memorial hall, a museum, an artgallery or a similar institution, for the purposes of display, orpreservation of a copy, of the work; (9) free performance of a published work; (10) copying, drawing, photographing, or videorecording of an artistic work located or on display in an outdoor publicplace; (11) translation of a published work from thelanguage of the Han nationality into minority nationality languagesfor publication and distribution in the country; (12) transliteration of a published work intoBraille and publication of the work so transliterated. The above limitations on rights shall beapplicable also to the rights of publishers, performers, producers of soundrecordings and video recordings, radio stations and televisionstations. Chapter III Copyright Licensing Contracts
Article 23 Anyone who exploits a work created by othersshall, except where no permission is required in accordance with theprovisions of this Law, conclude a contract with, or otherwise obtainpermission from, the copyright owner. Article 24 A contract shall include the following basicclauses: (1) the manner of exploitation of the workcovered by the license; (2) the exclusive or nonexclusive nature of theright to exploit the work covered by the license; (3) the scope and term of the license; (4) the amount of remuneration and the method ofits payment; (5) the liability for breach of contract; and(6) any other matter which the contractingparties consider necessary. Article 25 Without permission from the copyright owner, theother party to the contract shall not exercise the right which thecopyright owner has not explicitly licensed in the contract. Article 26 The term of validity of a contract shall notexceed ten years. The contract may be renewed on expiration of thatterm. Article 27 The tariffs of remuneration for the exploitationof works shall be established by the copyright administrationdepartment under the State Council jointly with other departmentsconcerned. 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 soundrecordings and video recordings, radio stations, television stationsand other entities who or which have, pursuant to this Law, obtained theright of exploitation included in the copyright of others, shall notprejudice such authors' rights of authorship, alteration, integrity andtheir right to remuneration. Chapter IV Publication, Performance, SoundRecording, Video Recor- ding and Broadcasting
Section 1 Publication of Books,Newspapers and Periodicals Article 29 A book publisher who publishes a book shallconclude a publishing contract with, and pay remuneration to, the copyrightowner. Article 30 A book publisher shall, during the term of thecontract, have an exclusive right to publish the work delivered to him forpublication by the copyright owner. The term of the exclusive rightto publish the work, enjoyed by the book publisher as specified inthe contract, shall not exceed ten years. The contract may be renewed onexpiration of that term. The exclusive right to publish a work enjoyed bythe book publisher shall, during the term specified in the contract, beprotected by law, and the work may not be published by others. Article 31 The copyright owner shall deliver the work tothe publisher within the time limit specified in the contract. The bookpublisher shall publish the work according to the quality requirements andwithin the time limit specified in the contract. The book publishershall bear the civil liability in accordance with the provisions ofArticle 47 of this Law if he fails to publish the work within the timelimit specified in the contract. The book publisher shall notify, and payremuneration to, the copyright owner when the work is to be reprinted orrepublished. If the book publisher refuses to reprint or republish thework when the stocks of the book are exhausted, the copyright owner shallhave the right to terminate the contract. Article 32 Where a copyright owner has submitted themanuscript of his work to a newspaper or a periodical publisher forpublication and has not received any notification of the said publisher'sdecision to publish the work, within fifteen days from the newspaper publisheror within thirty days from the periodical publisher from the date ofsubmission of the manuscript, the copyright owner may submit themanuscript of the same work to another newspaper or periodical publisher forpublication unless the two parties have agreed otherwise. After a work is published in a newspaper or aperiodical, other newspaper or periodical publisher may, except where thecopyright owner has declared that reprinting or excerpting is not permitted,reprint the work or print an abstract of it or print it as referencematerial, but such other publishers shall pay remuneration to thecopyright owner as prescribed in regulations.
Article 33 A book publisher may alter or abridge a workwith the permission of the copyright owner. A newspaper publisher orperiodical publisher may make editorial modifications and abridgments in awork, but shall not make any modifications in the content of the work unlesspermission has been obtained from the author. Article 34 When publishing a work created by adaptation,translation, annotation, arrangement or compilation of a pre-existingwork, the publisher shall pay remuneration both to the owner of the copyrightin the work created by adaptation, translation, annotation, arrangementor compilation, and to the owner of the copyright in the original work.
Section 2 Performance Article 35 A performer (an individual performer or aperforming troupe) who for a performance exploits an unpublished work createdby others shall obtain permission from, and pay remuneration to, thecopyright owner. A performer who for a commercial performanceexploits a published work created by others does not need permission from,but shall, as prescribed by regulations, pay remuneration to thecopyright owner; such work shall not be exploited where the copyright owner hasdeclared that such exploitation is not permitted. A performer who for a commercial performanceexploits a work created by adaptation, translation, annotation orarrangement of a pre-existing work shall pay remuneration both to the owner of thecopyright in the work created by adaptation, translation, annotationor arrangement and to the owner of the copyright in the original work.Where a performer performs a work created by others for the purpose ofproducing a sound recording, video recording, radio programme or televisionprogramme, the provisions of Article 37 and 40 of this Law shall apply.Article 36 A performer shall, in relation to hisperformance, enjoy the right: (1) to claim performership; (2) to protect the image inherent in hisperformance from distortion; (3) to authorize others to make live broadcasts;and (4) to authorize others to make sound recordingsand video recordings for commercial purposes, and to receive remunerationtherefor.
Section 3 Sound Recording andVideo Recording Article 37 A producer of sound recordings who, for the production of asound recording, exploits an unpublished work createdby others shall obtain permission from, and pay remuneration to, thecopyright owner. A producer of sound recordings who, for the production of asound recording, exploits a published work created by others, does notneed permission from, but shall, as prescribed by regulations, payremuneration to, the copyright owner; such work shall not be exploited wherethe copyright owner has declared that such exploitation is notpermitted. A producer of video recordings who, for theproduction of a video recording, exploits a work created by othersshall obtain permission from, and pay remuneration to, the copyright owner.A producer of sound recordings or videorecordings who exploits a work created by adaptation, translation, annotationor arrangement of a pre- existing work shall pay remuneration both to theowner of the copyright in the work created by adaptation, translation,annotation or arrangement, and to the owner of the copyright in theoriginal work. Article 38 When producing a sound recording or videorecording, the producer shall conclude a contract with, and pay remunerationto, the performer. Article 39 A producer of sound recordings or videorecordings shall have the right to authorize others to reproduce and distribute hissound recordings or video recordings and the right to receive remunerationtherefor. The term of protection of such rights shall be fifty years,expiring on December 31 of the fiftieth year after the first publication ofthe recordings. A producer of sound recordings or video recordingswho is authorized to reproduce and distribute a sound recording orvideo recording created by others shall also pay remuneration to thecopyright owner and to the performer as prescribed by regulations.
Section 4 Broadcasting by RadioStation or Television Station Article 40 A radio station or television station whichexploits, for the production of a radio or television programme, anunpublished work created by others, shall obtain permission from, and payremuneration to, the copyright owner. A radio station or television station whichexploits, for the production of a radio or television programme, a publishedwork created by others does not need permission from the copyrightowner, but such a work shall not be exploited where the copyright owner hasdeclared that such exploitation is not permitted. In addition,remuneration shall be paid as prescribed by regulations unless this Lawprovides that no remuneration needs to be paid. A radio station or television station whichexploits, for the production of a radio or television programme, a workcreated by adaptation, translation, annotation, or arrangement of apre-existing work, shall pay remuneration both to the owner of the copyrightin the work created by adaptation, translation, annotation orarrangement 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 contractwith, and pay remuneration to, the performer.
Article 42 A radio station or television station shall, inrespect of a programme produced by it, enjoy the right: (1) to broadcast the programme; (2) to authorize others to broadcast theprogramme, and to receive remuneration therefor; and (3) to authorize others to reproduce anddistribute the radio or television programme, and to receiveremuneration therefor. The term of protection of the rights specifiedin the preceding paragraph shall be fifty years, expiring on December 31 ofthe fiftieth year after the first broadcasting of the programme. A producer of sound recordings or videorecordings who is authorized to reproduce and distribute a radio or televisionprogramme shall also pay remuneration to the copyright owner and theperformer as prescribed by regulations. Article 43 A radio station or television station maybroadcast, for noncommercial purposes, a published sound recording withoutseeking permission from, or paying remuneration to, the copyright owner,performer and producer of the sound recording. Article 44 A television station which broadcasts acinematographic, television or video-graphic work produced by others shallobtain permission from, and pay remuneration to, the producer of thecinematographic, television or video-graphic work. Chapter V Legal Liability
Article 45 Anyone who commits any of the following acts ofinfringement shall bear civil liability for such remedies as ceasing theinfringing act, eliminating its ill effects, making a publicapology or paying compensation or damages, etc., depending on thecircumstances: (1) publishing a work without the permission ofthe copyright owner; (2) publishing a work of joint authorship as awork created solely by oneself without the permission of the otherco-authors; (3) having one's name indicated on a workcreated by others, in order to seek personal fame and gain, where one has notparticipated in the creation of the work; (4) distorting or mutilating a work created byothers; (5) exploiting a work by performance,broadcasting, exhibition, distribution, making cinematographic, televisionor video productions, adaptation, translation, annotation, andcompilation, or by other means, without the permission of the copyright owner,unless otherwise provided in this Law; (6) exploiting a work created by others withoutpaying remuneration as prescribed by regulations; (7) broadcasting a live performance without thepermission of the performer; or (8) committing other acts ofinfringement of copyright and of other rights and interests related tocopyright. Article 46 Anyone who commits any of the following acts ofinfringement shall bear civil liability for such remedies as ceasing theinfringing act, eliminating its ill effects, making a publicapology or paying compensation for damages, etc., depending on thecircumstances, and may, in addition, be subjected by the copyrightadministration department to such administrative penalties as confiscation ofunlawful income from the act, or imposition of a fine: (1) plagiarizing a work created by others;(2) reproducing and distributing a work, forcommercial purposes, without the permission of the copyright owner; (3) publishing a book where the exclusive rightof publication belongs to another publisher; (4) producing and publishing a sound recordingor video recording of a performance without the permission of theperformer; (5) reproducing and distributing a soundrecording or video recording produced by others without the permission of itsproducer; (6) reproducing and distributing a radioprogramme or television programme without the permission of the radio station ortelevision station which has produced that programme; or (7) producing or selling a work of fine artwhere the signature of the author is forged.
Article 47 A party who fails to perform his contractualobligations, or performs them in a manner which is not in conformity with theagreed terms shall bear civil liability in accordance with the relevantprovisions of the General Principles of the Civil Law. Article 48 A dispute over copyright infringement may besettled by mediation. If mediation is unsuccessful, or if one of theparties retracts from his promise after a mediation agreement is reached,proceedings may be instituted in a people's court. Proceedings mayalso instituted directly in a people's court if the parties do not wishto settle the dispute by mediation. Article 49 A dispute over a copyright contract may besettled by mediation. It may also, in accordance with the arbitration clauseof contract, or a written arbitration agreement concluded after thecontract has been signed, be submitted to a copyright arbitration body forarbitration. The parties shall implement the arbitrationaward. If one of the parties fails to implement the award, the other partymay apply to a people's court for execution. If the people's court whichhas been requested to execute an arbitration award finds that thearbitration award is contrary to law, it shall have the right to refuse theexecution. Where the people's court refuses to execute anarbitration award, the parties may institute proceedings in a people'scourt for contractual dispute. Where no arbitration clause is stipulated in thecontract and no written arbitration agreement is concluded after thecontract has been signed, any party may institute proceedings directly in apeople's court. Article 50 Any party who is not satisfied with anadministrative penalty may institute proceedings in a people's court withinthree months from receipt of the written decision of the administrativepenalty. If the party neither institutes proceedings nor executes thedecision within the time limit, the copyright administration departmentmay 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 Lawmeans the act of producing one or more copies of a work by printing,photocopying, copying, lithographing, making a sound recording or videorecording, duplicating a recording, or duplicating a photographic work orby other means. The term "reproduction" as used in this Law doesnot cover the construction or manufacture of industrialproducts on the basis of drawings of engineering designs and productdesigns, and descriptions thereof. Article 53 Measures for the protection of computer softwareshall be established separately by the State Council. Article 54 The implementing regulations of this Law shallbe drawn up by the copyright administration department under theState Council and shall enter into force after approval by the StateCouncil. Article 55 The rights of copyright owners, publishers,performers, producers of sound recordings and video recordings, radio stationsand television stations as provided for in this Law shall, if their term ofprotection as specified in this Law has not yet expired on the date ofentry into force of this Law, be protected in accordance with this Law.Any act of infringement or breach of contract committed prior to the entryinto force of this Law shall be dealt with in accordance with therelevant regulations or policies in force at the time when such act wascommitted. Article 56 This Law shall enter into force as of June 1,1991.
Note: [*1] This English version is the preliminaryEnglish translation provided by the Legislative Affairs Commission of theStanding Committee of the National People's Congress of the People'sRepublic of China. It shall be republished after being further revised andfinalized by the Legislative Affairs Commission of the Standing Committee ofthe National People's Congress of the People's Republic ofChina.