CHINA UNIFORMLAW NET

    【名称】  REGULATIONS FOR THE PROTECTION OF COMPUTER SOFTWARE

    【题注】  (Promulgated on June 4, 1991)

    【章名】  Chapter I General Provisions

Article 1

     In order to protect the rights and interests of creators of  computer

software, to adjust the relationships of interest during the  development,

dissemination and use of computer software, to encourage  the  development

and circulation of computer software, and to promote  the  development  of

computer applications these regulations are enacted in accordance with the

provisions of the Copyright Law of the People's Republic of China.

Article 2

     For the purposes of these regulations computer software  (hereinafter

referred  to  as  software)  refers  to  computer  programs  and   related

documentation.

Article 3

     Meanings of the following words used in these regulations are:

     (1) Computer programs: refers  to  coded  instructional   sequences-or

those symbol ic instructional  sequences  or  numeric  language  sequences

which  can   be   automatically   converted    into   coded   instructional

sequences-which are for the purpose of  obtaining  a  certain  result  and

which are operated on information processing equipment such as computers.

     Computer programs  include  source  code  programs  and  object  code

programs. The source code text of a piece of software and its object   code

text should be seen as one work.

     (2) Documentation: refers to written materials  and  diagrams,  using

natural language or formal  language,  which  are  used  to  describe  the

contents, organization, design, functions and specifications,  development

circumstances, testing results and method  of  use  of  the  program,  for

example: program design explanations, flow charts, user manuals, etc.

     (3) Software developers: refers to those legal persons or units which

are not legal persons (hereinafter referred  to  as  units)  who  actually

organize,  undertake  the  work  of  development,   and   provide   working

conditions  to  complete  the  development  of  software  and   who   take

responsibility for the software as well; citizens who rely  on  their  own

conditions to complete  software  and  who  take  responsibility  for  the

software.

     (4) Software copyright owners: refers to  those  units  and  citizens

who, in accordance with  these   regulations,  enjoy  the  copyright  of  a

computer software.

     (5) Reproduction: refers to the act of transferring software  into  a

material form.

Article 4

     The provision of protection to computer software, as referred  to  in

these regulations, refers  to   (the  fact  that)  that  computer  software

copyright holders  or  transferees  enjoy  all  the  rights  of  copyright

stipulated in these regulations.

Article 5

     Software which enjoys protection  under  these  regulations  must  be

independently developed by the developer and must already be  in  material

form.

Article 6

      Chinese  citizens  and  units  enjoy  the  copyright   under    these

regulations for software they have developed, regardless of whether it has

been published and regardless of where it has been published.

     Foreigner's software first published in China  enjoys  the  copyright

under these regulations.

     Software published outside of China by foreigners enjoys copyright in

China and protection under these  regulations  according  to  a  bilateral

agreement signed between the country to which  it  belongs  and  China  or

according to international convention to  which  they  are  both  parties.

Article 7

     The protection provided to software under these regulations cannot be

expanded  to  encompass  the  ideas,  concepts,  discoveries,  principles,

algorithms, processing methods and operations used in the  development  of

computer software.

Article 8

      The  State  Council's  designated    software   registration   agency

administers the registration of software throughout the entire country.

    【章名】  Chapter II Computer Software Copyrights

Article 9

     Software copyright holders enjoy the following rights:

     (1) Right of publication, is the right to decide whether the software

should b e released to the public;

     (2) Developer's right of authorship, is the  right  to  indicate  the

developer's identity and to place his name on the software;

     (3) The right of use, is the right to use the  software  by  copying,

demonstrating,  distributing,   altering,  translating,  annotating,  etc.,

under the precondition of not harming the public interest.

     (4) The right of licensing use and  receiving   remuneration,  is  the

right to license others, under provision 3 of this  article,  to  use  the

entire software or a part of it, and the right  to  get  remuneration  for

this.

     (5) The right of transfer, is the right to  transfer  to  others  the

right of use and right of licensing under  provisions  3  and  4  of  this

article.

Article 10

     The copyright of a software belongs  to   its  developer,  where  this

regulations have specific stipulations those should be followed.

Article 11

     Where software is developed jointly by 2  or  more  units,  citizens,

except as provided for in a  separate  agreement,  the  copyright  of  the

software shall be jointly enjoyed by the developers.

     Exercise of the copyright  co-developers   shall  be  carried  out  in

accordance with any written agreement reached prior  to  creation  of  the

software. If there is no written agreement, and if the  jointly  developed

software can be used in separate parts, the co-developers  can  separately

enjoy  the  copyright  on  the  parts  they  developed,  but  during    the

exploitation of the copyright this may not be extended to the copyright of

the jointly developed work in  its  entirety.  If  the  jointly  developed

software cannot be used in separate parts, the co-developers  may  exploit

the copyright by consensus. If consensus cannot be  reached,  and  in  the

absence of any unusual reasons, neither party can prevent the  other  from

implementing its exclusive rights, with the  exception  of  the  right  of

transfer to a third party. However, any benefits earned  shall  be  fairly

distributed among the co-authors.

Article 12

     The copyright of software which is commissioned to  be  developed  by

another person, shall be governed by any written agreement signed  between

the person who commissioned the work and  the  person  who  undertook  the

commission; if there is no written agreement  or  if  it  is  not  clearly

stipulated in the agreement, the copyright shall be enjoyed by the  person

undertaking the commission.

Article 13

     The copyright of  software  which  is  developed  pursuant  to  tasks

assigned  by  a  legal  person's  superior  organization   or    government

department shall be based on stipulations contained in  the  project  task

document or contract; if  not  clearly  stipulated  in  the  project  task

document or contract, the copyright belongs to the organization  to  which

the task was assigned.

     With regard  to  software  which  possesses  major  significance  for

national or public security interests and is  developed  by  organizations

within this system or organizations under their jurisdiction,  responsible

departments of the State Council or the People's Governments of provinces,

autonomous regions, or centrally administered cities  have  the  right  to

permit designated organizations to  use  the  software.  The  organization

using such  software  will  pay  a  fee  according  to  relevant  national

regulations.

Article 14

     If software developed by a citizen while working in  an  organization

is the product of work executed for  the  organization,   is  developed  in

accordance with the clearly stipulated development goals for work  in  the

organization, or is  the  predictable  or  natural  result  of  activities

involved in the organization's work, then the software's copyright belongs

to the organization.

     If software developed by a citizen is not the result of work executed

for the organization, has no direct relationship to  the  content  of  the

work at the organization in which the developer is engaged, and  does  not

use the  organization's   material  technical  conditions,  the  software's

copyright belongs to the developer himself.

Article 15

     The term of protection of software copyright is 25 years,  ending  on

the 31st of December of the twenty- fifth year after the first publication

of the software. Prior to the fulfillment of the term of  protection,  the

software  copyright  holder  may  apply  to  the   software    registration

administration organization to extend the protection by 25 years, although

the period of protection may not exceed 50 years at the longest.

     There is no limit  on  the  period  of  protection  of  the  software

developer's right of authorship.

Article 16

     During term of copyright protection of a given piece of software, the

software  copyright  holder's  heir  may,  in  accordance  with   relevant

provisions in the "People's Republic of China  Inheritance  Law",  inherit

the rights in Items 3 and 4 of Article 9 of these regulations.

     The act of inheritance may not change the term of protection  of  the

rights of the software.

Article 17

     During the term of copyright protection of a given piece of software,

after a change has occurred in the organization which holds the software's

copyright, the succeeding organization legally will enjoy all  the  rights

to the software.

     The occurrence of succession will not change the term  of  protection

of the software's rights.

Article 18

     During the software copyright's  term  of  protection,  the  software

copyright holder or his transferee may authorize others to  implement  the

right of use Article 9, Item 3, of these regulations.  Software  copyright

holders or their transferees may receive a fee while they are  authorizing

others to implement the right of use.

     Authorization to implement a software copyright should be agreed  and

executed according to China's laws  and  regulations  in  the  form  of  a

written contract. The authorized person should implement the right of  use

within the form, conditions, scope, and period of the contract.

     The period of effectiveness an authorizing contract may not exceed 10

years. When the period is complete, the contract may be extended.

     The act  of  authorization  cited  described  above  does  not  alter

ownership of software copyright.

Article 19

     During the software copyright period of protection, those  who  enjoy

the rights of use and license under Article 9, Items 3 and 4, may transfer

the rights use and license to other people.

      Authorization  to  transfer  copyright  should  be  carried  out  in

accordance with laws and regulations of China under a signed and  executed

written contract.

     The act of transfer does not alter ownership of software copyright.

Article 20

     When the term of validity of a software copyright expires, all rights

to the software cease, except for the developer's right of authorship.

     In the event that any  circumstances   fit  either  of  the  following

situations, all rights to a given piece of software, except the  right  of

authorship, will enter the public domain prior to the end of the  term  of

protection:

     (1) The organization holding the software copyright terminates

(dissolves) and there is no legal successor;

     (2) The citizen holding the software copyright dies without  a  legal

heir.

Article 21

     Those organizations or citizens  who  legally  own  reproductions  of

software have the right, without  obtaining  consent  of  the  proprietary

owner, to:

     (1) To install and use in a computer according to the needs of use;

     (2) For the purpose of maintaining files, make a backup copy. However

these ba ck-up copies may not be provided to other persons by  any  means.

Once the owners lose the  rights  legally  to  own  this  software,  these

reference copies must be completely destroyed;

     (3) In order to carry out necessary  revisions  for  the  purpose  of

using said software in the real  computer  environment  or  improving  its

performance. However, except in cases where there is additional agreement,

(the owner) may not provide to  any  third  party  the  revised  document,

without the agreement of  the  software  copyright  holder  or  his  legal

transferee.

Article 22

     For the  non-commercial   purposes  of  work  conducted  in  classroom

education, scientific research, the execution of  legal  duties  by  state

organs, etc., a small  number   of  software  reproductions   may  be  made,

without obtaining the consent of the software copyright owner or his legal

transferee, and without giving compensation.  However, when used, the name

of the software and its developer must be stated, and none of  the  rights

enjoyed by the copyright owners or their transferees under  the  terms  of

these regulations shall be violated. After the  use  of  these  copies  if

ended, they should be appropriately managed,  taken  back,  or  destroyed.

They must not be used for other purposes or given to other persons.

    【章名】  Chapter III Computer Software Registration Administration

Article 23

     Software published after these regulations are promulgated  may  make

application for registration at the copyright registration  administration

organization.  After approval of registration, the  Software  Registration

Administration Organization will issue documents of proof of  registration

and make public notice (of the registration).

Article 24

     Registration of software copyrights with  the  software  registration

administration organization in accordance with these  regulations  is  the

prerequisite  for  administrative  treatment  of  rights  disputes  or  of

lawsuits.

      Documents  of  proof  of  registration  issued    by   the   Software

Registration  Administration   Organization  are  the   initial   documents

certifying that a software copyright is in effect or is in the process   of

applying for registration.

Article 25

     When applying for registration computer  software  copyright  holders

must provide:

     (1) A software copyright registration form filled out  in  accordance

with the regulations;

     (2) Software identifying material in keeping with the rules.

     Software copyright holders must pay a registration fee  according  to

the rules.

      Specific  software  registration  administration   methods  and   fee

standards will b e announced by the Software  Registration  Administration

Organization.

Article 26

     Software copyright may  be  cancelled  in  either  of  the  following

situations:

     (1) According to final judicial judgement;

     (2)  When   primary  information  provided  during  the  registration

application is acknowledged not to be authentic.

Article 27

     For any computer software which has  already   been  registered,  when

activities relating to transfer of software  rights  occur,  the  receiver

should  put  on   record    with   the   National    Software   Registration

Administration Organization within 3 months of the signing of the contract

of transfer, otherwise infringement activities by third parties cannot   be

contested.

Article 28

      When  a  Chinese  national  software  copyright  owner  licenses  or

transfers to a foreigner  rights  to  software  developed  within  China's

territory, he shall first make a request  for  approval  to  the  relevant

responsible organs of the State Council and also  make  a  report  to  the

Software Registration Administration Organization.

Article 29

     Other than to carry out registration administration responsibilities,

employees  who  work  in  software  registration   and  persons  who   have

previously worked  in  this  position,  may  not,  during  the  period  of

protection of a software copyright, utilize or reveal to any other  person

the file material or other relevant information provided at  the  time  of

the application for registration.

    【章名】  Chapter IV Legal Responsibilities

Article 30

     Except for the situations described in Articles 21  and  22,  in  the

event of the following  infringing  activities,  according  to  conditions

cessation of the infringement, elimination of the effects, public apology,

compensation  for  losses  and  other  civil  responsibilities  should  be

undertaken; moreover, state software  copyright  executive  administration

departments may adopt executive punishments such as confiscating  unearned

illegal income, fines, etc.:

     (1) Publishing software works without the  consent  of  the  software

copyright ow ner;

     (2) Taking software developed by others and publishing  it  in  one's

own name;

     (3) Taking software developed in cooperation with another person  and

publishin g  it  as  a  work  completed  by  oneself  alone,  without  the

permission of the cooperating developer;

     (4) Signing one's name to software developed  by  another  person  or

altering the signature on software developed by another;

     (5)  Revising,  translating,  or  annotating  software  without  the

permission of the software copyright owner or his legal transferee;

     (6) Copying software, in whole or in part, without the permission  of

the software copyright owner or his legal transferee;

     (7) Disseminating or revealing software. to the  public  without  the

permission of the software copyright owner or his legal transferee;

     (8) Effecting the licensing or transfer of software to a third  party

without the permission of  the  software  copyright  owner  or  his  legal

transferee.

Article 31

      Resulting  similarities   between  software  developed  and  software

already in existence does not constitute a violation of the  copyright  of

existing software in the following situations:

     (1) Because it is necessary for the execution of  national  policies,

laws, and rules and regulations;

     (2) Because it is necessary for the setting of technical standards;

     (3) Because of the limited categories of forms of expression.

Article 32

     If a software owner is unaware that or has  no  reasonable  basis  to

believe that the software infringes  on  a  software  product  right,  the

responsibility for the violation shall be borne by the rights violator who

provided the software. However, when  failure  to  destroy  the  infringed

software will not adequately protect  the  rights  and  interests  of  the

software copyright owner, the owner has a duty to destroy  the  infringing

software, so that losses may be forced  back  onto  the  provider  of  the

infringing software.

     The provider of infringing software cited in the  previous  provision

is a person who knows the software is an infringement and supplies  it  to

others.

Article 33

     A concerned party who does not carry out his duty or who  carries  it

out  not  in  accordance  with  prescribed  conditions  shall  bear  civil

responsibilities according to the General Procedures  of  the  Civil  Law.

Article 34

     Software copyright disputes may be mediated. If  mediation  fails  to

produce an agreement, or if it produces agreement which one party fails to

honor, a lawsuit may be brought before a People's Court. A concerned party

who is unwilling to enter mediation may also  bring  a  lawsuit  before  a

People's Court.

Article 35

     A software copyright contract dispute may be mediated. It may also be

applied  for  mediation  by  the  state  software  copyright    arbitration

organization, on the basis of an arbitration provision in the contract   or

a written arbitration agreement concluded after the contract.

     Concerned parties will carry out an arbitration ruling. If one  party

fails to carry out the arbitration ruling, the other may bring  a  lawsuit

before a People's Court.

     If the People's Court receiving the application  discovers  that  the

arbitration ruling is illegal, it has the power not to execute the ruling.

If the People's Court does not carry out the ruling, concerns parties   may

bring a lawsuit before the People's Court.

     If concerned parties have not inserted an arbitration clause into the

contract, and there is no written arbitration agreement after  the  event,

they may bring a lawsuit directly before the People's Court.

Article 36

     If a concerned party is dissatisfied with the remedial  decisions  of

the national copyright executive administrative department, he  may  bring

suit before the People's Court within 3 months  from  receipt  of  notice.

When this period has expired and no lawsuit has been brought, the national

copyright executive administrative department may apply  to  the  People's

Court to force action.

Article 37

      Software  registration   administration  organizations  will   assess

administrative  punishment  against  employees  of  software  registration

administration  organizations   who  have  violated  Article  29  of  these

regulations. If  the  circumstances  are  severe,  constituting   a  crime,

judicial organs are responsible for investigating the crime.

    【章名】  Chapter V Supplementary Articles

Article 38

     Infringement actions which take  place  prior  to  these  regulations

taking effect should be dealt  with  in  accordance  with  regulations  in

effect at the time of the infringing activity.

Article 39

      These  regulations  will  be  interpreted  by  the  State  Council's

department for software registration administration and software copyright

administration departments.

Article 40

     These provisions take effect from October 1, 1991.