China Cracks Down on Film Piracy During Spring Festival

China Cracks Down on Film Piracy During Spring Festival

While the 2023 Spring Festival box office soared to record highs, authorities in China also made significant strides in their ongoing campaign against film piracy.

Since the launch of the latest anti-piracy initiative in January, over 40 individuals have been detained on suspicion of unauthorized filming, illegal recording, and distribution of pirated copies of this year's Spring Festival blockbusters. This data was released by official sources on Sunday.

The campaign, a collaborative effort between the National Copyright Administration, the China Film Administration, the Ministry of Public Security, and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, aims to curb piracy within the film industry and raise public awareness about copyright protection.

By February 20th, authorities had successfully removed nearly 2.3 million web links infringing on the copyrights of recent box office hits. Additionally, 4,116 online accounts were banned or restricted for repeated violations of copyright laws.

Demon Force" for profit. The suspects reportedly earned a combined total of over 14 million yuan ($1.9 million).

Authorities in Anhui province cracked a similar case, detaining 10 suspects and seizing over 12 million yuan in illicit gains.

With the animated film "Ne Zha 2" now ranking seventh on the all-time global box office chart, authorities have also targeted unauthorized commercial use of its characters. Police in Chongqing detained five individuals after discovering they allegedly reproduced and sold unauthorized copies of "Ne Zha 2" and other animated films, generating over 5.3 million yuan in profits.

"Movies are the result of the hard work of creators. Piracy and illegal broadcasting are like cancer in the film industry, severely hindering its healthy development," stated Lai Chunlei, a lawyer at Beijing Huazi Law Firm. "As viewers, we must firmly reject pirated films, and if we encounter anyone selling or distributing them, we should report it to the authorities immediately."

China's Criminal Law stipulates that individuals who pirate films for profit can face imprisonment of up to three years and hefty fines. In cases involving substantial illegal proceeds or severe offenses, the maximum sentence can extend to seven years.

"Whether it is unauthorized recording or selling pirated copies, both acts violate film copyrights," Lai emphasized. "Violators of both crimes must be strictly punished to maintain order in the film market.