Mickey, Pokémon and Dooly Still Banned From Chinese Prime Time TV

September 30 to October 5, 2010, the second China International Animation Copyright Fair will be held in China's animation capital Dongguan, Guangdong province. Read an article by Tan Jing for News Guangdong here.

In 2010 foreign animations, such as Mickey Mouse (US), Pokemon (Japan) and Dooly (South Korean) have substantial mature industries, are still banned from prime time, a measure which started on September 1, 2006. The rationale behind the discriminatory measure is to support the fledgling domestic animation industry and to protect Chinese children from too much foreign exposure.

"The positioning of the second animation copyright fair will be clearer in order to focus on copyright protection and trade."

The American cartoon series The Transformers was provided to China Central TV (CCTV) free of charge, because they anticipate making money with the merchandise. Chinese animation companies are too small (at least in 2006), according to Crystal Wong of Asia Times, read here.