The copyright protection of fictional characters: mainland China compared with the United States and Germany

In novels, comics, and films, fictional characters are common elements performing plots. They are often used beyond the context of the assigned stories, chiefly in character merchandising and derivative works such as sequels.

The thesis asks whether and how copyright protects fictional characters in Mainland China. The Chinese Copyright Law is interesting because certain unauthorized uses of fictional characters are likely to infringe copyright, but such uses seem to be strategically tolerated. The categorial prevalence of infringing content needs confirmation and explanation.

To answer the research question, this thesis compares the Chinese rules with their counterparts in the United States and Germany in the EU legal framework. It finds that the unauthorized uses of fictional characters should principally infringe copyright in Mainland China. The prevalence of infringing content reveals that the Chinese Copyright Law balances economic and cultural interests in a dynamic state, like the balance in cycling.