Among these groups are World Intellectual Property Organization, Paris Convention for the Protection of Intellectual Property, Madrid Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Marks, Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works, Universal Copyright Convention, and the Geneva Convention for the Protection of Producers of Phonograms Against the Unauthorized Duplication of their Phonograms. By joining in these agreements, China is demonstrating its willingness to perform its international obligations concerning the protection of intellectual property. Chinese law provides for both judicial and administrative protection in cases concerning the infringement of intellectual property. Any citizen, legal entity or other organization, including any foreigner, foreign enterprise or organization, may seek either administrative sanction or sue in a people's court to ask for judicial protection. A court trial is a final resort and may be pursued when necessary.
Judicial protection is afforded in two ways.
The first is a civil remedy, which includes an order to stop infringement, to pay damages or to issue an apology. The second is a finding of criminal responsibility. This includes a fine or a fixed term of imprisonment levied against the person found guilty of infringement. In civil cases the victim has several remedies open to him. Criminal charges concerning intellectual property are limited to infringements that endanger the social or economic order or the national interest.