What are the rules for the spread of overseas movies and TV dramas on the Internet?

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The notice further makes it clear that only if the license for the dissemination of audio-visual programs on the information network is obtained in accordance with the law, and the licensed project includes the website of "the fifth item of the second type of Internet audio-visual program service: the collection and broadcasting of audiovisual programs such as films, TV dramas, and cartoons," can overseas films and TV dramas specially used for information network dissemination be introduced. The implementation measures for the examination and approval of overseas movies and TV dramas specially used for the dissemination of information network issued by the General Administration stipulates that licensed websites are responsible for online dissemination.

A large number of overseas film and television content on AcFun and bilibili have been removed from the shelves, and overseas variety videos on Weibo have also been cleaned up. What are the rules for the online dissemination of overseas film and TV dramas?

first, foreign movies and TV dramas broadcast on the Internet must obtain the corresponding license.

the Circular stipulates that overseas films and TV dramas broadcast on the Internet should obtain a "Film Public screening license" or a "TV play Distribution license" issued by the press, publication, radio and television department in accordance with the law.

Circular on strengthening the Administration of Audio-visual programs on Weibo, Wechat and other online Social platforms stresses that films and TV dramas broadcast through various online social platforms such as Weibo and Wechat should have a Film Public screening license or a TV play Distribution license. In other words, overseas films and TV dramas that do not have a "film release license" or "TV drama distribution license" are not allowed to be broadcast on the Internet.

second, overseas movies and TV dramas on the Internet must obtain the corresponding copyright.

regulations on the Protection of the right of Information Network dissemination (decree No. 468 of the State Council, revised in January 2013) clearly states that unless otherwise provided by laws and administrative regulations, any organization or individual that provides other people's works, performances, sound recordings and video recordings to the public through the information network shall obtain permission from and pay remuneration to the right holders. The notice requires that online overseas films and TV dramas must obtain the right of information network dissemination granted by the copyright owner.

the opinions on the implementation of the Radio, Film and Television intellectual property Strategy of the General Administration of Radio, Film and Television also stipulates that we should strengthen supervision over the broadcasting of legitimate programs on audio-visual program service websites, severely crack down on Internet infringement and piracy, and focus on cracking down on piracy of film and television works. In other words, overseas films and TV dramas that have not obtained legal copyright are not allowed to be broadcast on the Internet. UP owners (people who upload video and audio files on video websites and forums) translate and upload overseas film and television content by themselves, and a large part of them are prohibited without the permission of the right holders.

third, websites that spread foreign movies and TV dramas must obtain corresponding qualifications.

regulations on the Administration of Internet Audio-visual Program Services require that those who engage in Internet audio-visual program services should obtain a license for the dissemination of audio-visual programs through the information network issued by the State Administration.

Circular on strengthening the Management of Audio-visual programs on Weibo, Wechat and other online Social platforms stipulates that network platforms that use Weibo, Wechat and other social applications to provide Internet audio-visual program services shall obtain the relevant qualifications prescribed by laws and regulations such as the license for Information Network dissemination of Audio-visual programs, and strictly conduct business within the scope of business specified in the license.

"notice" further makes it clear that foreign films and TV dramas specially used for information network dissemination can be introduced only if the "license for audio-visual programs of information network dissemination" is obtained in accordance with the law, and the licensed project includes the website of "the fifth item of audio-visual programs of the second type of Internet: the collection and broadcasting of audio-visual programs of films, TV dramas, and cartoons". In other words, websites that do not have the "license for the dissemination of audio-visual programs on the information network" are prohibited from providing network audio-visual program services, let alone spreading overseas film and television programs on the network.

4 is to control the total amount of overseas movies and TV dramas introduced by licensed websites.

the notice stipulates that the total amount of foreign movies and TV dramas imported and broadcast by a single website shall not exceed 30% of the total number of domestic movies and TV dramas purchased and broadcast by the website in the previous year. This means that the proportion of overseas film and television program content of licensed websites cannot exceed 30% of the total program library of the website, and there will be no audio-visual websites dedicated to the dissemination of overseas film and television programs.

Fifth, there are content requirements for overseas movies and TV dramas on the Internet and the system of censorship before broadcasting is implemented.

the content of overseas movies and TV dramas online must comply with the provisions of national laws and regulations. As stipulated in the notice, the contents of overseas films and TV dramas imported shall comply with the provisions of Article 15 of the regulations on the Administration of the introduction and broadcast of overseas TV programs. At the same time, overseas films and TV dramas on the Internet will be first examined and then broadcast.

the General Administration of overseas Film and Television Drama Newspapers introduced from the websites of the units directly under the Central Government shall conduct content examination. The content examination standards of online overseas films and TV dramas should be consistent with those of films and TV dramas.

VI is to implement a unified registration system for licensed websites to introduce foreign films and TV dramas.

the Circular stipulates that websites that introduce overseas movies and TV dramas online shall report the annual introduction plan of this website to the State Administration after being initially approved by the provincial radio and television department before the end of the previous year (the websites of the units directly under the Central Government shall report directly to the State Administration).

the General Administration registers and publishes the relevant information declared by each website that meets the requirements of the overall plan for the introduction of overseas films and TV dramas on the "online unified registration platform for the introduction of overseas films and TV dramas", together with the program registration serial number. When broadcasting overseas movies and TV dramas, the website shall indicate the registration serial number at the beginning of the program. Overseas movies and TV dramas that are not registered and announced on the platform shall not be broadcast.

Edit: mary