Basis of Establishment
- Decision on Administrative Licensing for Administrative Approval Projects that Need to be Retained by the State Council (State Council Order No. 412), Annex No. 328: Approval for the Publication of Electronic Publications Authorized by Overseas Copyright Holders (including internet game works). 2. Regulations on the Administration of Audio-Visual Products (as revised for the third time according to the Decision of the State Council on Amending Certain Administrative Regulations on February 6, 2016), Article 28: “Imported audio-visual products for publication, as well as finished audio-visual products imported for wholesale, retail, rental, etc., shall be submitted to the competent publishing department of the State Council for content review.” Article 48: “In addition to Article 35 of these Regulations, the publication, production, reproduction, import, wholesale, and retail activities of electronic publications shall be subject to these Regulations.”
Licensing Conditions
- The publishing unit must be a publishing unit for electronic publications.
- For overseas electronic game publications authorized by copyright holders that are not publishing units, the issuing unit must have a publishing license.
- The declared overseas electronic game publication authorized by copyright holders has completed copyright contract registration procedures with the National Copyright Administration.
- The game work complies with the “Regulations on Publishing Management” and other relevant laws and regulations.
Quantity Limitations
Comply with relevant requirements regarding total quantity, structure, and layout planning.
Licensing Procedure
The applying unit submits the publication approval application materials to the provincial publishing administration department where it is located. After the provincial publishing administration department reviews and approves, it is submitted to the State Administration of Press and Publication for approval.
Approval Period
80 working days from the date of application acceptance.
List of Required Materials to be Submitted
1. Request for Instruction to the National Administration of Press and Publication from the Provincial Publishing Administration Department; Detailed Explanation:
- Request document with the main recipient being the National Administration of Press and Publication, should have a heading, be marked with a document number, and bear the official seal.
- The main text should state the game’s name, publishing unit, issuing unit, and the content of the intended application. For console games, the game console type and the type of electronic game publication should be stated in the document.
- The game name should be clear and concise, reflecting the game’s content. In principle, characters other than simplified Chinese characters are not allowed to be used. The game title should not be the same as an already approved game. The naming of the game work should not violate relevant laws and regulations. The game content should not violate the provisions of Article 25 and 26 of the “Regulations on Publishing Management,” or contain vulgar, lowbrow, pandering, or other content contrary to the core socialist values.
- One request document per game, submitted on A4-sized paper, 1 copy, no need for binding.
2. Application for Overseas Copyright Holder Authorized Electronic Game Publication; Detailed Explanation:
- This application is applicable to the declaration of imported electronic game publications.
- The “Detailed Content Description” should accurately describe the game content (including but not limited to: game background, role-playing, game characters (NPC), scenes, main plot, gameplay, features (systems), main characteristics, game usage, etc.), provide detailed explanations item by item, and include necessary images.
- The “Review Report” should include: the start time of the review by the publishing unit, problems found during the review and the modification process, and the final explicit review opinions.
- The “Review Report” must be handwritten and signed by the responsible editor in charge of reviewing the game and the chief editor of the publishing unit, and stamped with the official seal of the publishing unit (the responsible editor and chief editor must meet the corresponding professional qualifications for their positions, and relevant qualification certificates must be provided when submitting the materials for the first time).
3. Reply on Copyright Contract Registration from the National Copyright Administration (copy); Detailed Explanation:
- The heading is for the publishing unit, and the main text should state the game’s name, the name of the overseas copyright holder, and the content of the intended application, stamped with the National Copyright Administration’s special seal for copyright registration.
- If the name of the overseas copyright holder is not stated, the Copyright Contract Registration Form of the National Copyright Administration or a copy of the authorization contract from the overseas copyright holder should be submitted.
- For domestically and internationally-funded enterprises (including Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan-funded enterprises) that independently develop games without overseas IP authorization, proof of copyright and a copy of the authorization contract stamped with the copyright holder’s seal can be provided. If it is an overseas IP authorized game, the approval reply from the National Copyright Administration is still required.
4. Publishing Contract and Business License of the Game Agency (copy); Detailed Explanation:
Copies, each stamped with the official seal of the publishing unit and the game agency.
5. Distribution Contract and Distribution License of the Issuing Unit (copy); Detailed Explanation:
Copies, stamped with the official seal of the issuing unit (if the issuing entity is the publishing unit itself, and it is clearly stated in the approval document of the provincial, autonomous region, or directly-administered municipality’s press, publication, radio, film, and television bureau, the copy of the distribution license may not be provided).
6. Introduction to Game Levels or Walkthroughs for Electronic Game Publications; Detailed Explanation:
Comprehensive, detailed, and effective content that reflects the complete game.
7. Explanation of the Game’s Anti-Addiction Functionality; If it has online capabilities, it should comply with the requirements of the “Notice on Preventing Minors from Indulging in Online Games,” and screenshots should illustrate the anti-addiction system functionality.
8. Color Images (Electronic Documents) of the Main Tasks and Main Scenes of the Electronic Game Publication; Detailed Explanation:
A collection of all Chinese characters appearing in the game, including but not limited to system prompts, NPC dialogues, plotlines, game items, etc. Electronic document CD or USB, 1 copy, containing all relevant materials.
9. Full Chinese Script (Electronic Document) of the Electronic Game Publication; Detailed Explanation:
A collection of all Chinese characters appearing in the game, including but not limited to system prompts, NPC dialogues, plotlines, game items, etc. Electronic document CD or USB, 1 copy, containing all relevant materials.
10. Sample Discs of the Electronic Game Publication; Detailed Explanation:
- Three copies of the sample disc, with the game name labeled on the disc surface. The disc content is readable, the game can be installed and run normally, and is identical to the intended published version.
- If the game requires special systems, software, or hardware for installation and operation, provide two sets of corresponding devices (to be returned to the publishing unit after the game approval process is completed).
- If installation requires an activation code or serial number, provide the necessary materials.
- If the game includes a universal pass mode, provide the necessary materials.
- For console games, provide two game running devices (to be returned to the publishing unit after the game approval process is completed).
11. Electronic Documents Containing All Application Text Materials and a Game Demo Video on CD or USB. Detailed Explanation:
- Three copies of CD or USB.
- The CD or USB should be labeled with the game name and “Electronic Document Materials,” “Demo Video,” “Installation Package,” and the application materials should be arranged in order.
- The game demo video should be no less than 10 minutes in duration and should show the health warning for the game, the game title, the main interface of the game, the anti-addiction effect, all character images, all accessible scenes, all experienceable systems, and the actual combat effects within the game for at least 2 minutes, in addition to any other required content.
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The original document is written in Chinese. We have provided this English translation for your convenience. However, please note that this translation is intended for a quick understanding of the law and should be used at your own discretion and risk.
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