Page 272 - A Study on the Role of UGC Platforms in Copyright Law：An Intermediary-oriented Approach

A Study on the Role of UGC Platforms in Copyright Law: Appendix 2 Interview Record (Participant A)
An Intermediary-oriented Approach

Huang: Could you explain the “originality announcement” function a little more? Does it
mean that if I copy this paragraph from your article and put it on my own account, it will
automatically adopt your layout?
Participant A: If you only use a small amount, maybe it would not. But if your article is
substantially similar to mine, then WeChat will automatically jumped back to my
original link and replace your article with my original one.
Huang: Awesome! So how can you get this function?
Participant A: When you create enough original articles, then WeChat will give you this
function. You cannot apply. You can only wait. We have waited this function for nine
months. With this function, we can technologically prevent unauthorized reproduction.
Huang: But what if I make the “originality annoucement” on non-original articles, such as
collected information?
Participant A: You can do it technologically. But once discovered, the consequence will be
severe.

Huang: I have heard a phenomenon named “mutual promotion （互推）”, meaning that the
public accounts promote each other. So do you promote other public accounts in your
own account?
Participant A: Yes, but I haven’t initiatively promote others. They came to me and asked for
mutual promotion. They took turns to promote but I was very cautious to join. I only
promote high-quality account to avoid damage my own reputation. I have collaborated
with Zhiwen （执问）, a for-profit account. It develops different sections simultaneously
so the quality is not good. Ultimately we cease the cooperation. We have recommended
their free course but have never recommended courses with charge.
Huang: Will the number of fans substantially increases after each turn of mutual promotion?
Participant A: Yes, of course. But the number varies from time to time.
Huang: Do you set the reward function. But now iphone users cannot use this function.
Participant A: Yeah. We have the reward function, as well as advertisement, from the very
beginning. But it is only a small amount of money and we cannot live on that.

Huang: Will the public accounts that ask for permission pay you?
Participant A: No. All republication is free. So we have a conditional republication
policy. I know some accounts, such as Maidu （麦读）, require compensation from
republication, 50 yuan per article for individuals and 100 yuan for institutions.
Huang: Does it mean that, if I don’t pay you, I cannot republish your article technologically?
Participant A: Exactly.
Huang: What’s the condition to get the function of “republication with compensation”?
Sufficient fans?
Participant A: Well, it is not a function, but a setting under the function of “originality

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