The State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT) issued the Notice on Strengthening Administration to TV Animation Broadcast recently so as to enhance IPR management on TV animation broadcast.

The notice addresses all levels of TV and radio administration to further improve the awareness of public IPR protection, regulate film purchase channels, prohibit broadcasting pirated animation programs, and thus guarantee the legal rights and benefits of TV animation producers from home and abroad. Once the animations copyright has expired, they can be broadcasted in China only after being re-approved by procedures. For those copyright-expired animations which haven't yet being approved, neither purchase nor broadcasting is permitted for all level of TV stations.

According to the notice, all levels of radio and television administration departments ought to strengthen effective regulation and supervision for animations shown at the local TV stations. For example, they are required to investigate and immediately make notification to all those TV stations that play pirated animations and copyright-expired oversea cartoons, show or import animations longer than the time limit set by relevant regulation. Moreover, the provincial-level department shall set up special organizations to follow up cartoon.