Pirates and Publishers: A Social History of Copyright in Modern China

Pirates and Publishers, by Fei-Hsien Wang, explores the social and cultural history of copyright in China from the 1890s through the 1950s, showing how it was received, appropriated, and practiced. Wang reveals that copyright was not a problematic doctrine imposed on China by foreign powers but was negotiated and protected by authors, publishers, and state agents. Chinese authors, booksellers, and publishers played a crucial role in its growth and institutionalization, enforcing copyright to justify their profit, protect their books, and crack down on piracy.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 368 pages
Publication date: 07 June 2022
Publisher: Princeton University Press

In his captivating book, Pirates and Publishers, Fei-Hsien Wang delves into the hitherto unexplored social and cultural history of copyright in China, spanning from the 1890s to the 1950s. Wang employs a wide array of previously underutilized archival sources to shed light on how copyright was received, appropriated, and practiced in China, both within and beyond the confines of state legal institutions. Contrary to popular belief, copyright was not merely imposed on China by foreign powers with little regard for its rich cultural and social traditions. Instead, Wang presents a more dynamic and nuanced portrayal of the encounter between Chinese and foreign ideas and customs.

By shifting the focus from state legislation to the daily, on-the-ground negotiations among Chinese authors, publishers, and state agents, Wang offers a more comprehensive understanding of the copyright landscape in China. Chinese authors, booksellers, and publishers played a pivotal role in the growth and eventual institutionalization of copyright in the country. They enforced what they perceived as copyright to safeguard their profits, protect their books, and combat piracy in the evolving knowledge economy. As China transitioned from a late imperial system to a modern state, booksellers and publishers had to create and maintain their own economic rules and regulations in the absence of an effective legal framework.

Pirates and Publishers explores the transplantation, adoption, and practice of copyright, highlighting the critical roles of those who produce and circulate knowledge. Through meticulous research and analysis, Wang provides a rich tapestry of historical insights that shed light on the complex interplay between culture, power, and intellectual property in China's late imperial and modern periods. This book is a valuable contribution to the field of intellectual property studies, offering a fresh perspective on the historical development of copyright in a global context.

Weight: 592g
Dimension: 155 x 234 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780691202686