You stayed up all night to write a 100 k-view post—then someone hit Ctrl+V and turned it into their best-seller?
If you’ve ever created content for social media, you’ve probably heard a rant like this:
“My viral copy was lifted word-for-word for a Douyin shop window. They sold out; my reach tanked.”
It’s not just an emotional gut-punch—it’s real money and a real infringement.
Does copy even enjoy copyright? Can you sue? How?
This article breaks it down from three angles—law, platform rules, and practical steps—in one go.
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Does copy get copyright? The law decides
Under China’s Copyright Law, any “literary work” with originality is protected.
Protected
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Original wording, distinctive expression, structure, emotional build-up.
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Personal linguistic style—even short copy—so long as the “expression” is original.
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Titles, paragraph order, rhetorical devices.
NOT protected
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Routine phrases, generic lines, product specs, functional descriptions.
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Simple “seed” templates or click-bait: “So good!” “Buy it, girls!”
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Public-domain facts, internet memes, common sayings.
Bottom line
If you wrote it yourself and it carries creative expression, it’s a “work.” You hold copyright; unauthorised use can be infringement.
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Can you sue for ripping? Three make-or-break questions
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Is it “substantially similar”?
Copying isn’t only copy-paste. Courts look at:
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Overall structure alike?
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Expression highly identical?
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“Rewriting” that swaps words but keeps sense?
Even paraphrased copy can infringe if logic, structure and emotional rhythm match.
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Can you prove you wrote it first and when?
This is the key evidence pack:
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Source file (Word, Notes, Notion…).
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Time-stamped post (with platform watermark).
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Backend data (Xiaohongshu Creator Centre screenshot).
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Copyright-registration certificate if you have one.
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Was it used commercially?
If the thief puts your text in:
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Three-step evidence freeze + platform takedown (with links)
Step 1: Freeze evidence (fast!)
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Screenshots: copy, publish date, likes/collects.
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Screen recording: profile, full text, comment area.
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Save URL before deletion.
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Time-stamp: use an app like “Rights Guardian” for a tamper-proof report.
Screenshots alone are weak—combine recordings + URLs + timestamp.
Step 2: File complaint (Xiaohongshu & Douyin both support)
Xiaohongshu
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In-app: open note → “···” → “Plagiarism” → upload proof.
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Douyin
Step 3: Fill the form (template)
Dear reviewer,
I’m the original author of the post “XXX” published on 2025-X-X by account @XXX (link).
Account @XXX copied it verbatim on X-X-X (link) for product promotion, infringing my copyright.
Evidence attached:
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Original screenshot (time-stamped)
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Infringing screenshot
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Side-by-side comparison
Please remove the content and protect original authors. Thank you.
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What will the platform do? Three possible outcomes
Offence → Result
Obvious lift (whole chunk) → Remove, throttle reach, ban repeaters.
Rewriting / partial → Demote, cut traffic, appeals rarely win.
Commercial use (sales link) → Delist product, freeze commission, court damages up to RMB 500 k.
Remember:
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Copy-paste = harshest penalty—video gone, account strangled.
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Minor word-twiddle = traffic halved, appeal fails.
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Used to sell stuff = cash frozen, plus court can award ¥500 k.
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Platform won’t help? Escalate.
If takedown fails or they refuse deletion:
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Lawyer letter: formal demand to remove, apologise, pay.
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Register copyright + sue: National Copyright Administration certificate = strong court evidence.
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Claim damages: actual loss or infringer’s profit; statutory ceiling RMB 500 k.
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Last word: originality isn’t “dramatic”—it’s your rice-bowl
Copycats won’t thank you, platforms won’t guard you, the law won’t come looking—you alone can armour your ideas.
Starting today:
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Screenshot + archive the moment you finish writing.
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Add an “original” tag when you publish.
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Complain hard and follow through when you spot theft.
Don’t let your 100 k-view post become their sales crown while your originality is reduced to “I think I’ve seen this somewhere.”
