Shanzhai is everywhere. There are shanzhai phones called "Nakia", "Anycoll" and "HiPhone". There are shanzhai stars who dress and act like celebrities such as Jay Chou. There are shanzhai versions of movies, songs and TV programs. Also, young people see shanzhai as a means of expressing their creativity.

In English, shanzhai can be translated in different ways, depending on the context (see Bonus). Below, 21st Century reporter Xu Weiwei explores the "copycat" phenomenon.

Shanzhai gives ordinary people a voice.

Gu Haibin, a sociologist from Renmin University, sees copycatting as a means for young people to have their voices heard in a world ruled by authorities. "The opinions of ordinary people are often ignored in the presence of giants and elites," said Gu. "So ordinary people eagerly want to find a way to express themselves." Copycatting gives them that opportunity, he added.

After all, homemade projects can be made cheaply and easily. The amateur Spring Festival Gala, in which ordinary people are invited to submit work, is a perfect example of the phenomenon's grassroots appeal. "I want to watch the amateur version of the gala on Spring Festival Eve," said 19-year-old Fan Xiaojie, an English major at Huazhong Normal University in Wuhan. "The performers, without much restraints, express themselves in a bolder and funnier way than their counterparts on CCTV."Shanzhai gives us laughs.

Li Xinlian, director of the Jinghui Psychology Consulting Center in Beijing, said that people need to vent and release, especially after gloomy events, like this year's snowstorm, earthquake and financial crisis. "Copycat parodies poke fun at authorities, and also at ourselves. It provides release," said Li, explaining the concept's current popularity.

Lü Cong, a senior at Shenyang Normal University, says she enjoys watching the popular amateur version of Dream of the Red Mansion, a video made by a college student. The acting is particularly funny because the people don't know how to perform, the 19-year-old said. "College students tend to seek light-hearted and humorous content on the Internet. We're easily bored by stuff that is too serious or hard to understand."

Shanzhai promotes a DIY attitude.

Li Boyin, 21, a design student from Anhui University of Architecture, was amazed when he saw a homemade helicopter made by an amateur from Guangdong. The helicopter cost only 20,000 yuan, but it could fly. "He looks a bit crazy, but you have to acknowledge his imagination and boldness," Li said.

The DIY phenomenon encourages people, usually those without professional skills, to do things themselves. Gu, the sociologist from Renmin University, said the increasing accessibility of technology has made DIY more feasible.

Gu notes that people have long made their own videos. "However, in the past it was just for their own pleasure," he said. "With the spread of the Internet, it has become easier to publish their work."

How to avoid breaking the legal boundaries of 'fair use'

IN some cases, copycat works can break copyright laws. Here're some key points to remember:

1There is no violation if you only copy the format of a copyrighted work. Formats cannot be copyrighted. Just make sure you don't copy the content.

2 Chinese copyright law gives 12 conditions for fair use. They state that a copyrighted work may be borrowed only for self-study, research and appreciation.

3Stating that your video is for self-study when you post it online does not protect you from legal liability. After all, the Web is a public place.

Fair use also allows for people to critique and comment on copyrighted works. However, in doing so, they should only quote or reproduce a small percentage of the original.

Laws protect the completeness of copyrighted works. So don't alter or twist the work without the consent of copyright holders.

It's illegal to use the lyrics or melody of a song for commercial purposes without the consent of its authors.
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