Introduction: The TikTok Refugee Movement and the Emergence of a New Digital Opportunity Recent developments surrounding TikTok in the United States have sparked an unexpected and intriguing shift in digital user demographics. In January 2025, the potential ban of TikTok’s service in the U.S. led to a significant migration of American users seeking alternative platforms. […]

Last week just before the Christmas holidays a Norwegian SME client has discovered counterfeit replicas of their products being sold on Chinese websites. Given that the client is seeking a prompt, effective, and cost-efficient solution rather than incurring high legal fees, how can we best address and resolve this e-commerce infringement issue? I. Protective Stronghold […]

A recent inquiry from a client at a leading film production company highlighted a critical issue: How can the unique persona of a star character be protected within the film itself? This question moves beyond the simple use of a heads hot, touching upon the very essence of how a celebrity commercial value is created […]

In recent years I have witnessed a significant and crucial transformation in the digital world. Core internet services—such as CDN acceleration, DNS resolution, and development frameworks—have traditionally operated under the principle of technical neutrality. This principle has long protected these infrastructure providers from being held directly responsible for the content they help deliver. They were […]

Introduction: The Emerging Landscape of AI Voice Rights Protection The swift progress of artificial intelligence has dramatically changed the ways we create, share, and consume digital content. One of the most revolutionary developments is AI voice synthesis technology, which allows for the creation of highly realistic, human-like voices from text input. While this technology holds […]

Recently, the Beijing Internet Court delivered its first-instance verdict in China inaugural copyright infringement case related to virtual digital humans. This groundbreaking ruling marks a significant step forward in protecting intellectual property rights for digital humans in China. It provides crucial legal clarity for international companies involved in virtual digital human projects within the Chinese […]

In the world of upholstered furniture, crafting pieces with unique flair hinges not just on premium materials like leather and fabric, but also on the artistry embedded in detailed design blueprints. Yet, amid fierce battles in the raw materials arena, some suppliers take a darker path—snatching original design sketches without permission. These stolen designs are […]

In today digital landscape, where content sharing is widespread and complex, the recent legal dispute between Springer Nature Limited and Beijing Yingke Qianxin Technology Co., Ltd. marks a significant development in copyright law. This case, which progressed through China judicial system from initial trial to final appeal, not only resolved a conflict between a leading […]

Case Background The Hangzhou Internet Court recently adjudicated a pivotal copyright dispute concerning an AI platform enabling users to train and distribute LoRA models derived from protected Ultraman imagery. This ruling establishes critical boundaries for generative AI service providers’ legal responsibilities when facilitating user-generated content that implicates third-party intellectual property. Technical Functionality & Alleged Infringement […]

Following a four-year legal dispute, the Beijing IP Court ruled recently that Loongson Technology’s 3A5000 processor does not infringe upon MIPS Technologies’ chip architecture intellectual property rights. Background Information On June 2, 2021, Shanghai Cipunited Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd (“Cipunited”), affiliated with MIPS China, released a statement on its official website addressing claims circulating on […]

AI models comprise their structure and parameters. The structure includes the arrangement and quantity of components, while the parameters are specific values obtained through training and optimization. In March 2025, the Beijing Intellectual Property Court made a landmark ruling in the Douyin v. B612 case, marking the first time AI model structure parameters were protected […]

Virtual property generated within online gaming environments is represented as data within a designated digital space. Given its intrinsic value, capacity to meet user demands, legal recognition, and manageability, it is categorized as a distinct form of property that can be exchanged under certain conditions. As such, it possesses attributes akin to property interests. According to Article 2 […]

This article, originally published in Chinese in Issue 10 of China Judgments in 2025, is authored by He Zhuolan, who holds the position of Assistant Judge at the Judicial Administration Office of the Guangzhou Internet Court. Emotional artificial intelligence (referred to as “emotional AI”) encompasses AI applications that facilitate emotional interactions with users and offer psychological […]

The rapid advancements in intelligent robotics and live streaming have led to the emergence of numerous legal challenges, such as defining the legal status of virtual digital personas, determining if using someone else’s virtual persona for live streaming is an infringement, and whether mimicking another’s live streaming room design amounts to unfair competition. The Hangzhou Court addressed these issues in the Erbai Robot case, clarifying […]

The Chinese animated film “Nezha 2” is expected to break box office records, surpassing $10 billion. This surge in related intellectual property (IP) merchandise highlights the strength of high-quality IP derivatives in China. Adaptations of various creative works—such as novels, films, TV shows, animations, and games—are crucial for the entertainment industry. Today, IP is an […]

This case marks a significant milestone as the first national ruling aimed at safeguarding the copyright of AI-generated “text-to-image” works. （2023）京0491民初11279号民事判决书 In its ruling, the Chinese court maintained an “anthropocentric” approach to defining copyright ownership, viewing the AI model as a supportive tool rather than the primary creator. It underscores the legislative intent of “encouraging […]