Anti-piracy efforts help blockbusters
China’s recent box office triumphs, notably the animated blockbuster Ne Zha 2, are attributed to intensified anti-piracy measures. The National Copyright Administration spearheaded a campaign involving the registration of copyrights for artistic and musical works associated with popular films like Ne Zha 2 and Boonie Bears: Future Reborn. Collaborating with provincial authorities in Sichuan and Guangdong, the initiative aimed to safeguard intellectual property rights.
Key actions included issuing copyright protection warning lists for currently screening movies, prohibiting unauthorized sharing by online service providers, and enforcing prompt removal of infringing content upon rights holders’ requests. During the Spring Festival, over 2.29 million pirated film links were deleted or blocked, and 4,116 repeat infringer accounts were restricted or banned. Advanced watermark detection technology aided in identifying pirated recordings, leading to 40 piracy-related cases and several arrests.
Despite these efforts, challenges persist, such as the use of sophisticated recording devices, livestreamed piracy, involvement of minors in illegal recordings, and unauthorized production of infringing merchandise. Authorities plan to intensify copyright supervision, support legal actions by rights holders, and raise public awareness about the importance of protecting film copyrights.
