Challenges for foreign players in entertainment industry

While China’s film, television and culture entertainment industry is undergoing rapid development, capital and operational input from foreign investors is also on the rise in this sector. However, for the time being, foreign investors face significant challenges for investment in this industry.

COMPETENT AUTHORITIES

The entertainment industry in China involves a number of competent authorities, including the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television (SAPPRFT), the Ministry of Culture (MOC) and the State Administration for Industry & Commerce (SAIC).

As the name suggests, the SAPPRFT is in charge of press, publication, radio and television, while the National Copyright Administration, a branch of the SAPPRFT, is responsible for nationwide copyright administration. The MOC administers China’s cultural and artistic matters, with a particular focus on performances.

The SAIC is responsible for general market regulation and administrative law enforcement, and its Trademark Office is in charge of nationwide trademark registration and administration. The Anti-monopoly and Anti-unfair Competition Enforcement Bureau of the SAIC is responsible for investigation of unfair competition, commercial bribery and other related acts.

Therefore, given that foreign investors in the entertainment industry are so heavily supervised by a number of different authorities, it is important that foreign investors strengthen communication with these competent authorities.

Ben Chai and Cloud Li are associates at DaHui Lawyers