zhùzuòquán: 著作权 - Copyright

• Keywords: zhuzuoquan, 著作权, copyright in Chinese, Chinese word for copyright, intellectual property in China, author's rights, 版权 (bǎnquán), Chinese copyright law, 著作权法.
• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese term for copyright, 著作权 (zhùzuòquán). This guide breaks down its meaning, cultural context, and practical use in modern China, covering everything from intellectual property law to online content creation. Understand the crucial difference between 著作权 and its common synonym 版权 (bǎnquán) and see how it's used in real-life sentences to protect creative work.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): zhù zuò quán
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 6+ (A specialized, formal term)
• Concise Definition: The legal right of an author or creator over their original work; copyright.
• In a Nutshell: 著作权 (zhùzuòquán) is the official and legal term for “copyright” in Mainland China. It literally translates to “author's work rights.” While it's a formal term used in law and business, it's also fundamental to understanding the modern digital landscape in China, from movies and music to software and social media posts. It encompasses all the rights a creator has, both to profit from their work and to be recognized for it.

• 著 (zhù): This character means to write, to compose, or to author. It's about the act of creation itself. Think of a famous author (著名作家 - zhùmíng zuòjiā).
• 作 (zuò): This character means “to make,” “work,” or a “creation.” It's found in words like 工作 (gōngzuò - work) and 作品 (zuòpǐn - a piece of work, like a book or a painting).
• 权 (quán): This character means “right” or “power.” It's the same “quán” as in 权利 (quánlì - rights) and 权力 (quánlì - power).

When combined, 著作 (zhùzuò) means “a work” or “an authored piece,” and 权 (quán) adds the legal concept of “rights.” So, 著作权 (zhùzuòquán) literally means “the rights to an authored work.”

Historically, the concept of intellectual property in China was less rigid than in the West. Imitating a master's work in calligraphy or painting was often seen as a high form of praise and a legitimate way to learn, rather than theft. The emphasis was on carrying on a tradition, not necessarily on radical, individual originality. However, this has dramatically changed. With China's integration into the global economy (especially its entry into the WTO) and the explosion of its own creative industries—tech, film, music, gaming—the concept and enforcement of 著作权 have become critically important. The Chinese government has established comprehensive copyright laws (著作权法 - zhùzuòquán fǎ) and is increasingly cracking down on piracy (盗版 - dàobǎn). The Western concept of “copyright” and the Chinese 著作权 are now legally very similar due to international agreements. The key difference for a learner to understand is the cultural journey. While the West has had a strong concept of individual authorship and IP for centuries, China's robust system is more recent. Today, especially among younger, digitally-native generations, there is a growing respect for and demand for the protection of creators' rights, making 著作权 a central topic in business, tech, and art.

著作权 is a formal term, but its use is widespread in specific contexts.

• Legal and Business: This is its primary domain. You will see it in contracts, legal notices, and court cases.
  • Example: 这 个 软件 的 著作权 属于 我们 公司。 (The copyright for this software belongs to our company.)
• Digital Media and Websites: Almost every official website, video platform (like Bilibili), or music app (like NetEase Cloud Music) will have a notice regarding 著作权. A common phrase is “未经著作权人许可，不得转载” (Do not re-post/republish without permission from the copyright holder).
• Creative Industries: Authors, musicians, filmmakers, and other creators will use this term when formally discussing the rights to their work.

While formal, it is understood by the general public in these contexts. However, in casual, everyday conversation, the term 版权 (bǎnquán) is often used as a synonym. See the “Nuances” section for a detailed comparison.

• Example 1:
  • 法律保护作者的著作权。
  • Pinyin: Fǎlǜ bǎohù zuòzhě de zhùzuòquán.
  • English: The law protects the author's copyright.
  • Analysis: A straightforward, formal sentence stating a legal fact. This is a classic use of the term.
• Example 2:
  • 这部小说的著作权已经被一家电影公司买下。
  • Pinyin: Zhè bù xiǎoshuō de zhùzuòquán yǐjīng bèi yī jiā diànyǐng gōngsī mǎi xià.
  • English: The copyright for this novel has already been bought by a film company.
  • Analysis: Demonstrates how copyright is treated as a commercial asset that can be bought and sold.
• Example 3:
  • 未经授权转载他人的文章是侵犯著作权的行为。
  • Pinyin: Wèijīng shòuquán zhuǎnzǎi tārén de wénzhāng shì qīnfàn zhùzuòquán de xíngwéi.
  • English: Republishing someone else's article without authorization is an act of copyright infringement.
  • Analysis: Introduces the key concept of “infringement” (侵犯 - qīnfàn) in a legal and digital context.
• Example 4:
  • 这首歌的著作权到底归谁所有？
  • Pinyin: Zhè shǒu gē de zhùzuòquán dàodǐ guī shéi suǒyǒu?
  • English: Who on earth holds the copyright to this song?
  • Analysis: Shows how the term can be used in a question to clarify ownership. 归…所有 (guī…suǒyǒu) is a common pattern for “belongs to.”
• Example 5:
  • 软件的最终用户许可协议通常包含著作权条款。
  • Pinyin: Ruǎnjiàn de zuìzhōng yònghù xǔkě xiéyì tōngcháng bāohán zhùzuòquán tiáokuǎn.
  • English: A software's End-User License Agreement (EULA) usually includes copyright clauses.
  • Analysis: A highly specific, technical example from the IT/software world.
• Example 6:
  • 他把所有作品的著作权都留给了他的孩子。
  • Pinyin: Tā bǎ suǒyǒu zuòpǐn de zhùzuòquán dōu liú gěi le tā de háizi.
  • English: He left the copyright to all his works to his children.
  • Analysis: Illustrates copyright as a form of property that can be inherited.
• Example 7:
  • 作为著作权人，你有权决定你的作品如何被使用。
  • Pinyin: Zuòwéi zhùzuòquánrén, nǐ yǒu quán juédìng nǐ de zuòpǐn rúhé bèi shǐyòng.
  • English: As the copyright holder, you have the right to decide how your work is used.
  • Analysis: Introduces the related term 著作权人 (zhùzuòquánrén), the copyright holder.
• Example 8:
  • 在中国，著作权的保护期一般是作者终身及其死亡后五十年。
  • Pinyin: Zài Zhōngguó, zhùzuòquán de bǎohùqī yībān shì zuòzhě zhōngshēn jí qí sǐwáng hòu wǔshí nián.
  • English: In China, the protection period for copyright is generally the life of the author plus fifty years after their death.
  • Analysis: Provides a specific, factual piece of information about Chinese copyright law.
• Example 9:
  • 这个网站上的所有图片都受到著作权法的保护。
  • Pinyin: Zhège wǎngzhàn shàng de suǒyǒu túpiàn dōu shòudào zhùzuòquán fǎ de bǎohù.
  • English: All images on this website are protected by copyright law.
  • Analysis: A common notice found online. It uses the passive structure 受到…保护 (shòudào…bǎohù), “to receive protection from.”
• Example 10:
  • 关于人工智能生成内容的著作权归属问题，引发了热烈的讨论。
  • Pinyin: Guānyú réngōng zhìnéng shēngchéng nèiróng de zhùzuòquán guīshǔ wèntí, yǐnfāle rèliè de tǎolùn.
  • English: The issue of copyright ownership for AI-generated content has sparked heated debate.
  • Analysis: A modern, complex sentence showing the relevance of 著作权 to cutting-edge technology topics.

The most common point of confusion for learners is the difference between 著作权 (zhùzuòquán) and 版权 (bǎnquán).

• 著作权 (zhùzuòquán): This is the official, comprehensive legal term used in the People's Republic of China. It translates to “author's rights” and includes both economic rights (the right to profit) and moral rights (the right of attribution, etc.). Use this in formal, legal, or official business contexts.
• 版权 (bǎnquán): This term literally means “printing right” or “publishing right.” It's the standard term used in Hong Kong and Taiwan. In Mainland China, it is widely used in everyday conversation and less formal business contexts as a synonym for 著作权. It is much more common to hear someone say “我买了这个音乐的版权” (I bought the copyright to this music) than to use 著作权 in casual speech.

Common Mistake: Thinking the two terms are completely different or that 版权 (bǎnquán) is incorrect in Mainland China.

• Incorrect: “You must always use 著作权, never 版权.”
• Correct: In Mainland China, 著作权 is the formal, legal term. 版权 is the common, everyday equivalent. They are largely interchangeable in meaning, but not in formality. Using 著作权 makes you sound more formal and precise, while using 版权 is more natural in casual conversation. Think of it like “purchase” (formal) vs. “buy” (casual).

• 版权 (bǎnquán) - The more common, everyday term for copyright; the standard term in Taiwan/HK.
• 知识产权 (zhīshi chǎnquán) - Intellectual Property (IP). The broad category that includes copyrights, patents, and trademarks.
• 著作权法 (zhùzuòquán fǎ) - Copyright Law. The official legal framework.
• 著作权人 (zhùzuòquánrén) - The copyright holder/owner.
• 侵权 (qīnquán) - Infringement (of rights). Often seen as 侵犯著作权 (qīnfàn zhùzuòquán), “to infringe copyright.”
• 盗版 (dàobǎn) - Piracy; a pirated version (e.g., 盗版软件 - pirated software).
• 专利 (zhuānlì) - Patent. A different type of intellectual property for inventions.
• 商标 (shāngbiāo) - Trademark. A different type of intellectual property for brands and logos.
• 原创 (yuánchuàng) - Original creation. A work must be 原创 to be eligible for 著作权.
• 转载 (zhuǎnzǎi) - To re-post, forward, or republish content. A key action regulated by copyright.