The Concept of Intellectual Property Rights in the Chinese Civil Code

Abstract

While intellectual property rights (IPR) are not an independent part of China’s recently promulgated Civil Code, this concept penetrates the entire Civil Code. This article analyses such penetration through interpreting the Civil Code’s definition of IPR, mapping provisions directly mentioning IPR, and discussing the relationship between IPR and closely related issuessuch astechnology contracts, personal information, data and internet virtual property, and punitive damages.