The promulgation of the Copyright Law ended a long-standing situation under which China lacked specific copyright legislation. It established a complete system of intellectual property law covering patents, trade marks and copyright. The law defines the framework of copyright protection in China, and has played a positive role in safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of copyright owners. The law encourages the creation and publication of high quality work, satisfies the material and cultural needs of the masses and promotes China’s press, publications, radio, TV and film, performing arts, software and other industries, thereby promoting economic prosperity, science and technology, and literature and art. The law also provides the legal basis for China to normalize its copyright relations with foreign countries.

The General Principles of Civil Law, passed in 1987, was the first step to give legal protection to copyright in China.