Abstract
China's music industry is undergoing significant transformations with recent copyright law amendments, business model innovations and technological changes. Content creators and curators on Chinese social media are increasingly aware of copyright issues, using strategic approaches to both infringement and protection in their user-generated content. This chapter focuses on Kuaishou, a major platform for mediating musical content in China and a key site for diverse stakeholder discussions on copyright, reflecting an urban–rural mix. Through qualitative content analysis of mediated discourses on Kuaishou, the chapter examines how creators navigate China's evolving copyright regime, revealing a growing awareness and tactical approach to protecting their own rights while avoiding infringement. It offers a sociolegal perspective on the intersection of technology, law and culture, providing timely insights into ongoing debates about copyright protection and content creation in China's digital music ecosystem.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Routledge Handbook of Chinese Media (2nd Edition) |
| Editors | Ming-Yeh T. Rawnsley, Yiben Ma, Gary D. Rawnsley |
| Place of Publication | London |
| Publisher | Routledge |
| Pages | 368-388 |
| Number of pages | 20 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 9781003362500 |
| Publication status | Published - 2025 |