ASK & DISCUSS INDEX

11 years, 1 month ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

BTW - they took all manufacturing back out of China after that incident.

11 years, 1 month ago - Alève Mine

Dan, thanks. Yes, some experiences there! In my current case, unfortunately, I'll just need to do that. So hopefully the local changes in that field are soon reaching a good status, for registration to be of use. I'm looking for the best offer to register my works with CPCC.

11 years, 1 month ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

Just as Dan says above, a friend's company tried taking some specialist production to China - a part they developed and owned all IP for. Almost as soon as his parts were delivered (therein lies another story), knock-offs were being sold. They hadn't even been on the open market to copy, the plans were lifted straight from the factory. Some say it's actually CCCP behind the wholesale IP theft in the interests of cheap manufacturing and 'owning' the West - it doesn't sound impossible when you realise just how different attitudes to IP are.

11 years, 1 month ago - Alève Mine

Marlom, thanks. Yes I guess the respective needs must be particularly well met for best results. I understand their interest lies also in my acting. Hopefully that helps...

Paddy, what a nightmare! I hope your friend is ok.

11 years, 1 month ago - Dan Selakovich

Yeah, Aleve, that is pretty much pointless. A huge problem in China right now is Chinese inventors having their patents ignored. The government is trying, very slowly, to change this. They've found that it's putting the brakes on intellectual development. The big thing currently is the inventor of a new 3D printer that can build items inexpensively. Within 6 months it was stolen, and he saw his printer at a trade show. The argument is that if an inventor or writer can't make money on their intellectual copyright or patent, what's the point for developing anything to begin with? And the creatives aren't bothering with development until China can curb piracy.

From outside China, businesses are finding that it's a bad idea to manufacture in China. Within 5 years, your product will be stolen and produced by a Chinese manufacturer. (iPhones, for example, are only assembled in China. Not manufactured from scratch).

But if you still want to go through the process, you'll need to contact one of the government approved agencies. In English, the best place is probably The CPCC: Copyright protection center of china. Keep in mind, as far as real world protection goes, this is a waste of time and money.

11 years, 1 month ago - Marlom Tander

Just to second that.

Have friends in and dealing with China.

Business is actually very straightforward PROVIDED it's a simple "I will deliver X, you pay me" arrangement to a counterparty that isn't interested in doing X itself.

But the kind of intellectual property protection you want, the protections are 100% theoretical.

So, IF a Chinese company wants you as a writer, you can probably do a deal, just assume that you'll never see any points or royalty - like Hollywood Accounting!

If a Chinese client wants you to deliver actual content, then again, it will probably be OK, (though you'd def want want it positively funded). But if that was say, a TV Series, then assume that they'ii cut you out of Series 2, and you can whistle for your creators rights. View your series one money as all you'll ever see.

But if it's western funder with chinese beer goggles on and it's part of their tick box to fund you, well, if you're sure that it's the only thing between you and the money, go through the motions :-)

11 years, 1 month ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

Bless you for your kind thoughts - he's got a fairly large, very successful business, he bounced back well :)

11 years, 1 month ago - Alève Mine

Good to hear!