Copyright protection in China: A Guide for European SMEs

Copyright is a form of intellectual property that protects a creator’s exclusive right to control who reproduces or alters the product of their original creative effort. Copyright protects the producers of any original work, and is relevant to almost all businesses, not just those in the creative industry. Adequate copyright protection can form an important part of an IPR protection strategy. Your business may regularly create articles, photographs, drawings, designs, models, websites, computer software, etc., which all enjoy copyright protection. Though your original work is automatically protected by copyright the moment it is created, it is advisable to apply for voluntary registration to provide proof of your ownership of the copyright, which can save you time and money in case of a dispute later.