Key practical points:
• Software is protected automatically once created; registration with the software copyright centre is optional but strengthens proof.
• Rights cover publication, copying, modification, distribution, rental and licensing.
• Software an employee develops within their duties generally belongs to the employer unless agreed otherwise.
• Using unlicensed copies (piracy) in companies is infringement and brings civil and sometimes criminal liability.
• Protection lasts 50 years for a natural person and 50 years from publication for a legal person.
• Reverse engineering for interoperability is allowed only within narrow limits.
💡 Intellectual property
Regulations on the Protection of Computer Software · Yalla China
计算机软件保护条例 / Regulations on the Protection of Computer Software
Enacted: 2001-12-20 ✅ Effective: 2002-01-01
📝 Overview
A State Council regulation protecting computer software as a copyrighted work. It grants the developer rights over publication, copying, modification and licensing. It defines infringements such as piracy and unlicensed use.
This is general information only, not legal advice. For your specific case, consult a licensed lawyer.
📜 The law text / key provisions
💬 Practical reading
💬 This is a general reading/opinion for orientation — not the official legal text nor legal advice.
If you are a developer or company, your code is protected automatically, but registering it makes ownership easier to prove in a dispute. Conversely, using pirated software at work is a real legal risk. Review the licences of all software you use. General orientation, not legal advice.
📎 Official source
National Copyright Administration / ncac.gov.cn
🕒 Updated: 16 March 2026