Real-name registration required of online authors

Chinese online literature authors are now required to register with their real names before their works are made available to their readers, according to a recent guideline issued by China's media watchdog.

Experts believe the requirement could help authorities better manage the online literature industry and protect the authors' intellectual property.

The guideline, issued by the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television on Monday, also said that editors and publishers of such works would be held accountable.

Online literature is becoming more popular, but the booming industry lacks management, Zhang Yiwu, a professor of Chinese at Peking University, told the Global Times.

"The guideline could make authors more aware of their rights and duties," said Zhang, "Authors enjoy freedom but also need to obey the law.

The new guideline also better protects the intellectual property rights (IPR) of online authors, he added.

Shen Jiake, an online author and media commentator, agrees with Zhang. He told the Global Times that authors would need to exercise greater self-discipline in the future under the new guideline, as anyone who violates laws and regulations in their works would be held accountable.

China will guide creative works towards a healthier and higher direction over the next three to five years, the guideline said. It also vowed to provide increasing fiscal support to the industry, while continuing to crack down on pornography and other "harmful" content.