In a significant victory for independent creators, renowned Chinese astrophotographer Dai Jianfeng has prevailed in a two-year legal battle against Visual China Group, one of China’s largest stock image platforms. The Beijing court ruled that the A-share listed company committed copyright infringement by selling Dai’s photograph “Village Under the Milky Way” without authorization, ordering compensation of 15,000 yuan ($2,100) and a public apology on its official website.
The case originated when Visual China’s platform hosted and commercially distributed Dai’s celestial photography through a third-party uploader who lacked proper authorization. Despite settlement offers during pre-trial mediation, the 37-year-old Chongqing-based photographer refused to accept private resolution, citing broader principles of creator rights protection.
“This wasn’t just about my individual case,” Dai explained to China Daily. “Many fellow photographers have experienced similar infringements. Accepting a quiet settlement would have ignored the systemic nature of the problem.”
The verdict represents a symbolic triumph for China’s creative community, highlighting the substantial challenges visual artists face in monetizing their work through image sales alone. Dai, who specializes in capturing extraordinary astronomical phenomena including aurora borealis over Stonehenge and galactic landscapes, described sustainable income generation through photography as “mission impossible” under current market conditions.
Beyond the legal implications, Dai emphasizes the artistic purpose driving his craft: creating celestial imagery that emotionally resonates with viewers. His victory establishes an important precedent for intellectual property protection in China’s digital creative economy while underscoring the ongoing struggles of professional photographers in the digital age.