China's First Network Copyright Case ClosedChina's first case involving disputes over downloading and publishing others' original works online was finally closed at Beijing No. 1 intermediate people's court on December 1.The indicted party China Social Publishing Company was ordered to stop infringing on and publishing books Lonely Tide and Long Online Stories immediately, pay the plaintiff Rongshuxia website a loss of RMB$10,001, and make open apologies for its infringements made on Xinmin Evening Paper and Beijing Evening Paper. Rongshuxia is one of the biggest Chinese websites of original works known to the world. A large number of network writers have signed copyright permission contacts with the website to confer special rights of publishing their works. China Social Publishing Company was charged with copying writings of Rongshuxia into its "Network Life Series" in April without the latter's permission. Beijing No. 1 intermediate people's court made the judgement that irrespective of a new digital form of transmission developed writings make no changes on their own. So to download or publish others' network writings should still follow the copyright law. By PD Online staff Huang Ying |
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