Why Ultraman Movie‘s Copyright Holder Confronts Obstacle in Claiming His Right over Ultraman Doll?

Abstract

(By Albert Chen) When the character in a film or television work satisfies the originality element, it could constitute as an independent work under the Copyright Law. But in that situation, the right holder of the film and television work could not necessarily claim the copyright over the character in it, and any infringement against the character shall be fought back by its designer or the licensee of the designer.

Case Summary

In 2009, China Shanghai Character License Administrative Corporation (“SCLA” hereinafter) gained the exclusive license from Tsuburaya Company for Ultraman Diga’s reproduction rights, distribution rights, rental and merchandising rights, and as well as the right to relicense the above rights within the territory of mainland China. After that, SCLA found that Hubei Xinyijia Supermarket Co., Ltd. ( “Xinyijia” hereinafter) has been selling out the Ultraman Diga toys, and thereafter SCLA filed their lawsuit in the court.

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Copyright Issues behind Disputes on Beijing Love Story

By Albert Chen

The popular TV drama Beijing Love Story (the “Story”) has become the hot topic of  social discussion. The discussion was triggered about with whom the copyright  ownership of the story resides, on which both editors Chen Sicheng and Li Yaling claimed the right over it.  Chen planned to shoot a film of the Story which Li was against, with the reason that any licenses of the works shall have to go through her approval and that she will have to be paid  remuneration. With the  escalation of the dispute, both parties seek the settlement through legal ways.

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Music Industry’s Revision Suggestion to Drafted Copyright Law, II

The exposure draft of revised Copyright Law (the “Draft”) has gained wide attention among the public after its publication on the website of the National Copyright Association of China (NCAC). One of the reasons contributing to the heated discussion is the articles possibly damaging the interests of musicians who have expressed their strong opposition to the Draft.

In recent, the Record Committee of China Audio & Video Association (CAVA) affiliated to General Administration of Press and Publication of PRC has made their suggestions to the modification on the Draft. To the introduction on the website of CAVA, it has more than 520 member units that are engaged in audio-video production, duplication, distribution and marketing. The member units have not only the largest state record corporation, audio-video press, but also the best music-make corporation, distribution and marketing corporation and the large chain marketing corporation at home. Under CAVA there are several working committees such as distribution, record, disc, educative publishing, digital audio-video and china marketing committee. And the Record Committee making the suggestion this time is the working committee of the CAVA.

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Music Industry’s Revision Suggestion to Drafted Copyright Law, I

The exposure draft of revised Copyright Law (the “Draft”) has gained wide attention among the public after its publication on the website of the National Copyright Association of China (NCAC). One of the reasons contributing to the heated discussion is the articles possibly damaging the interests of musicians who have expressed their strong opposition to the Draft.

In recent, the Record Committee of China Audio & Video Association (CAVA) affiliated to General Administration of Press and Publication of PRC has made their suggestions to the modification on the Draft. To the introduction on the website of CAVA, it has more than 520 member units that are engaged in audio-video production, duplication, distribution and marketing. The member units have not only the largest state record corporation, audio-video press, but also the best music-make corporation, distribution and marketing corporation and the large chain marketing corporation at home. Under CAVA there are several working committees such as distribution, record, disc, educative publishing, digital audio-video and china marketing committee. And the Record Committee making the suggestion this time is the working committee of the CAVA.

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