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Wenzhou’s Experience of Copyright Protection of Folk Literature and Arts

Nearly 300 experts gathered in Wenzhou for the International Symposium on Intellectual Property and Traditional Cultural Expressions which was organized by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the National Copyright Administration of China (NCAC) and exchanged views on the status quo and the future of the copyright protection of folk literature and art works. In the event, Wenzhou’s experience on copyright protection and innovation was put under the spotlight, with a series of case studies and field research activities showcasing how copyright has empowered the commercialization of folk literature and arts.

Wenzhou, renowned as the Capital of East Asian Culture, National Historical and Cultural City, the City of Chinese Arts and Crafts, and the Hometown of Nanxi Opera, boasts a dazzling array of folk arts that embody glorious Chinese culture including Ou sculpture, Ou embroidery, paper making, and lacquerware. In the new era, how to conserve and rejuvenate the creative vitality of these arts has become an urgent issue.

In December 2023, Wenzhou was selected among the second batch of pilot cities for the protection and promotion of copyrights of folk literature and arts in China. Seizing this opportunity, Wenzhou implemented the “One County, One Product” strategy, focusing on innovation and putting in place a new copyright protection mechanism. This action has stimulated Wenzhou’s financial vitality and facilitated the spread of its culture abroad, laying a more solid foundation for copyright authentication and protection, unlocking the value of copyright, and enhancing Wenzhou’s international influence. Furthermore, it has helped Wenzhou blaze a new trail towards innovative inheritance and high-quality development of its culture.

Looking ahead, Wenzhou will sustain its efforts to improve the copyright protection mechanism for folk literature and arts, and take advantage of such digital technologies as blockchain and big data to make copyrights more transparent and traceable. Furthermore, it will deepen cooperation at provincial and national levels and actively engage in international copyright affairs to enhance the global competitiveness of its culture.