To whom will a cinematographic work belong after the expiration of the protection period?
Article 43 of the 2005 Intellectual Property Law stipulates public domain works as follows:
- Works that have expired the protection period as prescribed in Article 27 of this Law shall belong to the public.
- All organizations and individuals have the right to use works stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article but must respect the moral rights of the author as stipulated in Article 19 of this Law.
According to Clause 5, Article 1 of the amended 2009 Intellectual Property Law, the types of works protected by copyright include: Cinematographic works and works created by a similar method (hereinafter collectively referred to as cinematographic works).
Thus, cinematographic works, after the expiration of the copyright protection period, will belong to the public.
Sincerely!









