Page 291 - 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 6 Interview Record (Participant E)
An Intermediary-oriented Approach

discount if they book him to take photos for them.

Huang: Do you think the current WeChat account has any difference with the QQ Zone or
paper media in the past?
Participant E: Yes, I think there are many differences. For QQ zone, you can change the
setting so that others cannot visit your zone. But for public account, once it is published,
you cannot control where it goes. Besides, you can see any historic content of this
account.
Huang: So WeChat public account is more open than the QQ zone.
Participant E: Yes, and the diary in QQ zone can be set to prohibit others from reproduction.
Huang: The WeChat public account cannot prevent others’ reproduction?
Participant E: It cannot. Anyone can reproduce.

Huang: I wonder whether you have heard about unauthorized reproduction? Some public
accounts whose owners I know told me that when unauthorized reproduction occurred,
they will complain to the reporting platform in WeChat. And then the platform will
negotiate with the complained party. You said that your content has not been reproduced
yet, and I wonder whether your classmates or friends have ever met such problem?
Participant E: Yes, I have not encounter unauthorized reproduction. There are two kind
of reproduction. One is shared by personal account and the other is shared by public
account. We welcome the first kind of reproduction since it can increase our fans. What
we reject is the second kind of reproduction since it is diverting your fans. WeChat has a
function for us to report and complain. If it doesn’t work, we can go to the court.
Huang: But the litigation costs are high, right?
Participant E: That’s true.
Huang: Do your friends have been reproduced by other public accounts without permission?
Participant E: I guess not. Some of my friends write travel notes or their thoughts about life.
Ah, I remember that one of my classmate write her experience about different skin care
products and cosmetics. But these articles have not been reproduced.
Huang: Cosmetic review? Interesting. I have seen have much discussion in this kind of
interest groups in Douban. Nobody reproduce?
Participant E: As far as I know, nobody has reproduced her article since she has not many
fans. She is quite popular in our law school. However, the people outside don’t know the
credibility of your review so they will not reproduce.
Huang: So she write these article just for fun?
Participant E: Yeah, and to share with us.
Huang: How interesting you post-1995 generation!

Huang: You said that you have made some videos and posted online. Can you tell me more

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