Copyright protects works, i.e., intellectual creations of literature and art which have a unique character. This includes literature, music, pictures, sculptures, films, operas, ballets and pantomimes. Computer programs are also protected under copyright.

The Copyright Act also regulates related rights (also referred to as neighbouring rights). They include: the rights of performing artists (musicians, actors) to their performances; the rights of producers of phonograms and videograms to their products (CD's, DVD's, etc.); the rights of broadcasters to their radio and television broadcasts.

A work is protected under copyright as soon as it is created. It is not necessary to file for protection or to "deposit" the work as there is no register.

It is also not necessary to refer to the copyright in the work. Notations such as "copyright", "all rights reserved" or "?" have no influence on protection in China. However, such notations can be useful information for third parties and serve as a sort of warning. Furthermore, in other countries, the notification ?[name of rights owner] [year of first publication] can be important for copyright protection.

Note that the ISBN number located on books has nothing to do with copyright: it?¡¥s simply the international identification number of the edition.

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