20 27 19-23
THE FATENFONTICE LUNDUKI
TMJ Man Ma
FOREIGN SECRETARY'S VISIT TO CHINĄ
A
COPYRIGHT
Line to take
~
welcome the enactment of the People's Republic's first
copyright law. Hope that this will lead to China's accession
to the major international copyright conventions in the near
future.
С
UK and Chinese officials have already established a good
working relationship on copyright matters. Hope that this
will continue.j UK would be happy to contribute to any
consultation on the new implementing regulations which have
yet to be promulgated.
Background
/B
The new copyright law was adopted by the People's Congress in September 1990. It will come into force on 1 June 1991
1.
The law applies only to Chinese nationals. How and wher copyright will be extended to foreign copyright works is the subject of internal debate, though the adoption of a copyright law on broadly Western lines is clearly intended as a first step towards China's participation in the international copyright system.
►
3. The absence of a copyright law in China has had an inhibiting effect on the exploitation of UK copyright works (particularly books and records) in China. The new law is not however completely satisfactory and an official - delegation to Peking in February obtained assurances that it would be clarified and/or improved under implementing regulations currently being drafted. We would like to encourage the Chinese to give us the opportunity to comment on the regulations in draft, since this could help ensure that the Chinese law is compatible with the international conventions in this field. China's early accession to those conventions would be the simplest way of establish mutual copyright relations between our countries.
Department of Trade and Industry
Industrial Property and Copyright Department
TOTAL P.AZ
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.