A seminar on a new book of long-form journalism,MKS sports The Umbrella of Creation: Chronicle of Copyright Protection for Chinese Written Works, a collection of stories on intellectual property rights protection over the past three decades, was held in Beijing on Thursday. Experts from the fields of literature, publishing and copyright find the book presents an important topic using an original structural model of reportage. 

A seminar on a new book of long-form journalism, The Umbrella of Creation: Chronicle of Copyright Protection for Chinese Written Works, a collection of stories on intellectual property rights protection over the past three decades, was held in Beijing on Thursday. Photo: Courtesy of the China Written Works Copyright Society

Consisting of 11 chapters, the book tells stories on the Copyright Law through cases and interviews. The reportage focuses on the elaboration and analyses of the articles and hot issues of copyright law. The book simultaneously provides new perspectives for the readers to learn more about the law and abide by it, while also following the progress made in the field of copyright protection in China. 

Through in-depth discussions among experts, the book highlights the importance and literary value of the rule of law in the new era. Thanks to its reliability, authenticity and readability, the book is believed to be an example and inspiration for writers to be more innovative, collaborative in their future creations. The book is in itself a cooperation between writers and subject-matter experts and it infuses historical accounts of cases with detailed explanations to appeal more clearly to the reader.

Qiu Huadong, a secretary of the China Writers Association's secretariat, said at the seminar that copyright is the most basic human right and the most important right for writers. The book The Umbrella of Creationdescribes case studies, improving the confidence of the literary and artistic circles within the context of the rule of law in China.

Tang Zhaozhi, an official from the copyright management bureau with the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that with the advancement and application of new technology, copyright protection faces many new problems and challenges. The publication of the book is perfectly timed to promote the country's Copyright Law among readers.

Wei Yushan, head of the Chinese Academy of Press and Publication, said that even though China has made remarkable achievements in copyright legislation, some citizens' copyright awareness is still lagging behind. The book can be regarded as building up an umbrella protecting literary creators and publishers. As a masterpiece in the field of reportage, the book has combined literature with professional knowledge. 

Xin Guangwei, editor-in-chief of the People's Publishing House, said that the book has used a comprehensive approach in selecting case studies and provides strong warnings against violating the Copyright Law, thus providing a diversified and comprehensible learning platform for the public to know more about copyright. 

Li Hongqiang, editor-in-chief of the People's Literature Publishing House, said that The Umbrella of Creationis both a deeply enlightening and instructive work. It has transformed complex legal concepts into language that is easy for the public to understand through in-depth case analysis. This work can be considered of reference value for the legal professionals and beneficial to readers. 

Li Yanyan, one of the authors and vice president of the Chongqing Writers Association, shared her own challenges while working on the book. She had been concerned about the privacy protection of the writers mentioned in the case studies. She had to deal with the complex relationships between writers and publishers, but thanks to her sense of responsibility as a reporter of facts, she has never stopped writing.

"Reportage writers have the mission of making issues visible to the public and find solutions to these issues. That's why as writers, we have to enlighten our own hearts, and then enlighten society at large," said Li, adding that she expects writers and the public will be able to understand how the law is an effective approach to solve the problem of copyright infringement thanks to this book.

Zhang Hongbo, the other author of the book and executive vice president and director general of the China Written Works Copyright Society, expressed his hopes that this book will let the majority of right holders realize the power of the rule of law, and the social value and market value of copyright.

"Going hand in hand with copyright allows one to live with dignity," Zhang said. 

The China Written Works Copyright Society and Chongqing Publishing Group are negotiating with overseas publishers for the book's export copyright. 


Global Times