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Stating that liability for defamatory content - a false offering of sexual services by the minor daughter of plaintiff - may be exclusively casted upon the provider of the content, not the manager of the website or the provider of connection. This decision recognizes the lack of rules for internet content, but it also recognizes that only ex post control over content is possible or to be expected. Upon noticing “evidently” offensive content, providers should take measures to prevent further harm, but they are not liable for damages before that moment. The decision establishes, but does not explain, the principle of “freedom of the information that circulates on the internet”.

The Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress has passed the amendments to the Copyright Law (the Amendments), which will take effect on 1 June 2021. The first comprehensive amendment took place in 2001, and in 2010 it was amended again in response to a WTO decision resolving a U.S. complaint. Since the first amendment, the 2020 Amendments are the most comprehensive and substantial amendments in the past two decades. In addition to some cosmetic changes, the Amendments will strengthen the protection for the copyright owners in regards to the scope of copyrightable work, redefined fair use exceptions, authorization of technical protection measures, and heightened damage provisions. See the full clauses below: Chapter I: General Provisions Article 1: This law is formulated in accordance with the Constitution...

The Provisions on Ecological Governance of Network Information Content, as deliberated and adopted at the executive meeting of the Cyberspace Administration of China, are hereby issued and shall come into force on March 1, 2020. Director: Zhuang Rongwen December 15, 2019 Chapter I General Provisions Article 1 These Provisions are hereby developed in accordance with the State Security Law of the People's Republic of China, the Cybersecurity Law of the People's Republic of China, the Measures for the Administration of Internet Information Services and other laws and administrative regulations for the purposes of creating a good network ecology, protecting the legitimate rights and interests of citizens, legal persons and other organizations, and safeguarding national security and public interests. Article 2 These...

This well-researched and annotated report includes thorough discussion of recent developments affecting online speech via social media in China. A section on applicable law discusses the consolidation of agencies exercising authority over online speech and the passage of several laws or regulations increasing the responsibility of Internet intermediaries. In addition to the 2017 Cybersecurity law, these include: Chinese Internet News Information Service Management Regulations, effectively prohibiting news and political reporting outside of official channels. Internet Forum Community Service Management Regulations, requiring platforms to verify real identity of users, Internet Thread Comments Service Management Regulations, requiring platforms to establish "credit rating" systems for users, and ultimately ban poorly...

Chapter I: General Provisions Article 1: In order to strengthen Internet information content management and stimulate the healthy and orderly development of Internet news information services, on the basis of the “Cybersecurity Law of the People’s Republic of China”, the “ Administrative Measures of Internet Information Services”, and the “Notice of the State Council on Charging the Cyberspace Administration of China with the Content Management of Information on the Internet”, these Regulations are formulated. Article 2: These Regulations apply to the provision of Internet news information services within the territory of the People’s Republic of China News information as mentioned in these Regulations includes reporting and comments on politics, economic, military matters, foreign affairs and other such social public...

Requiring Internet information providers (ISPs) to obtain approval from the Ministry of Information Industry before creating any sort of joint venture with a foreign company and associated creation of any ISP services. (Article 6-8). ISPs are also required to keep records of the log-on time of users, user’s accounts and the telephone number from which users dial in for 60 days and provide them to State authorities on demand.