024: How to Protect Your IP in China

08 Jan 024: How to Protect Your IP in China

China-based screenwriter Joey Wang discusses how to protect your IP in China and the challenge of dealing with budget-manipulating producers.

3 KEY POINTS

ADAPT TO THE MARKET TO SELL AND PROTECT YOUR IP IN CHINA

Evidently, there is a vast difference in comedy writing in the West versus China. It’s a challenge for someone with a Western background to write humor for a Chinese audience. This could be limiting but it also could be an opportunity. If you’re a comedy writer and want to sell IP to China – I would suggest partnering with a Chinese writer.

WRITERS GOTTA SELL IP IN CHINA

Indeed, Joey mentioned that 90% of his work is sales. He has to hustle to create his own opportunities.  This is more intense in China since as Joey mentioned, there are a lot of agencies. Joey also said there are almost no agencies for below-the-line talent.

Thus there is a gap in the market and if by chance you are a writer and editor or have some extra skill besides writing – who knows – this could be an area that needs someone to get the ball rolling and start a conversation about this gap in the market.  Perhaps the PGA’s China Task Force or the major American talent agencies already in China can look into some kind of dialogue to address this need.

PRODUCERS MANIPULATE THE BUDGET – SO PROTECT YOUR IP

Of course, it seemed too easy for someone in China to become a producer, and some producers even during film school get coached (by their peers, not their instructors) on how to manipulate a budget.

As revealed by Joey, it all starts with education. I recall back in 2015 General Manager and Chief Representative for China Motion Picture Association – William Feng – was interviewed in the LA Times about A China-Hollywood producer’s exchange training program. Let’s have another exchange program and share best practices so that we can work together more effectively. 

TAKEAWAYS

AN OPTION FOR LEARNING CHINESE

Additionally, it would be easier to work as a screenwriter in China if you can speak Chinese. If you have the opportunity great – or even if you speak a few sentences – the willingness to try goes a long way. 

Chinese studios are looking to make their films more marketable to a Western audience so pairing up their writers with a Western writer could be another avenue.  You might try reaching out on social media to get your name out there is this interest you.

Facebook has several groups you can join such as:

• China Filmmakers collective
• The China Hollywood Society
• China Indie Film
• Chinese in Entertainment
• International Film Producer’s Network

WRITERS – PROTECT YOUR IP IN CHINA

Conversely, if you plan to sell your IP in China – you must register it with the Intellectual Property Rights Board. They have a bi-lingual website http://www.ccopyright.com.cn – on the website it’s called the Copyright Protection Center of China (CPCC).  中国版权保护中心 Zhōngguó bǎnquán bǎohù zhōngxīn

SHOW RESPECT

According to Joey, the Chinese hate it when foreigners come and act like they know better. You need to be humble and show respect.

The Asia-Hollywood Greenlight Podcast – Episode 24

Joey Wang, Bilingual Screenwriter

Show Notes

Host: Caryn McCann

Website: https://chinahollywoodgreenlight.com/podcasts-2/

Sister website: https://christmasmoviescreenwriter.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AHGreenLight

Twitter: @AHGreenLight  https://twitter.com/AHGreenLight

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caryn-mccann-5718058/

GUEST: Joey Wang, Screenwriter

Instragram: https://www.instagram.com/zujitsu_/

Copyright Protection Center of China (CPCC).  中国版权保护中心 

Copyright Registration Department
Director: LI Mingying
Deputy Director: ZHANG Hui
Consulting Tel (Tianqiao):010-68003887-7261/7788/7259/7260/5080
Consulting Tel (Yonghe): 010-83197923, 83197927, 83197930
Fee Tel: 010-68003887-3344
Fax: 010-68003903 (Please write the specific name )
Email: zzqdj@ccopyright.com
Mailing address: Room 307, 3/F, Block A, Tianqiao Art Plaza, No.1 Tianqiao South St., Xicheng District, Beijing
To: Copyright Registration Department; Postcode: 100050

American Business Department
Manager: YONG Tingting
Tel：010-68003887-5129
Fax：010 -68004679
Email：yongtingting@ccopyright.com