China’s three major long video platforms iQiyi , Tencent’s Tencent Video, and Alibaba-backed Youku, along with other 70 organizations issued a joint statement on April 9, calling on content producers and operators of short video platforms and social media public accounts to respect and protect copyrights, as reported by Caixin on the next day. The statement also mentioned that they did not allow any unauthorized use of film and television works for creating short videos, and would take legal actions against infringements. In addition to the three large long video platforms, other film and television companies and institutions include Mango Excellent Media’s video platform Mango TV, China Federation of Radio and Television Associations (CARFT), China Film Association, Zhejiang Huace Film , and more.

To be specific, a large number of short video and public account producers and operators have arbitrarily edited, cut strips, transported, and disseminated movies and television works without the authorization of the copyright holders, with part of them gaining outstanding numbers of followers and profits. The joint statement stated that those film and television cuts have caused a series of piracy and infringement problems and disputes, severely infringing the legal rights and interests of the copyright holders of the film and television works. Besides, such behaviors also damaged the integrity of the film and television works and even misinterpreted the main purpose of the film and television works. The 73 organizations pointed out that such video cuts would further affect the long-term development and healthy ecology of the domestic film and television industry. In addition, prior to the joint statement, on January 22, 2021, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) issued the newly revised Provisions on the Management of Internet Public Account Information Services. It mentioned that public account information service platforms should strengthen the copyright protection of original information content to prevent piracy and infringement practices.

Sources:

https://companies.caixin.com/2021-04-10/101688620.html