Chinese copyright

International copyright issues (shudder...)

If one wants to create here in the US a translation of a book that was originally created in China (People's Republic), assuming that the book is "protected" in China, what exactly does it mean that we have no bilateral treaty with China (that China recognizes), China's not a member of Berne, and in fact is on our list of countries that are really bad about protecting intellectual property rights (Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act 1988 - "priority foreign countries")?

• that the prospective translator need not "respect" the Chinese copyright?
• that there would not be a cognizable infringement?

I suspect that it's not that simple. I've read Goldstein and Patry... Still can't figure it out.

What if the translator "publishes" the translation in China by making it available there as a searchable database?

Any insights into the risks involved in creating such a translation without permission would be appreciated.

Georgia K. Harper
University of Texas System
Office of General Counsel
201 W. 7th St.
Austin, Tx. 78701

512/499-4462 (voice)
512/499-4523 (fax)
gharper[_at_]utsystem.edu Received on Wed Nov 23 1994 - 23:43:42 GMT