China’s top judicial authorities announced an adjustment to the type of cases that can be heard in the country’s internet courts which were set up to deal with cases involving cyberspace, including e-commerce disputes and online copyright issues.
The Supreme People’s Court (SPC) released a new judicial interpretation on the jurisdiction of cases by internet courts on September 11.
The new interpretation aims to adjust and clarify the jurisdictional boundaries of the country’s three internet courts, based in Beijing, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province and Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. Most importantly, the courts will handle four new types of cases: those related to the ownership and infringement of internet data, cases related to online personal information and privacy, cases related to the ownership, infringement and contract dispute of virtual assets, and online disputes related to unfair competition.
Some cases will no longer be dealt with by internet courts, including online loan contract disputes and copyright and neighboring rights disputes related to works first published online. These cases will be moved to local courts from November 1, when the new interpretation takes effect.
A spokesperson from the SPC said the move will protect citizens’ online rights and interests in a fairer and more efficient way, prevent algorithm manipulation and promote the healthy development of the digital and platform economy.
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