Fourteen illegal compact disk enterprises copying video and audio products
throughout the country have been punished as part of the nation's efforts to
intensify its protection of the intellectual property right (IPR), a senior
press official said yesterday.
Licences of six companies in Henan and Guangdong provinces and Chongqing
Municipality were suspended in a nationwide crack-down campaign starting in
January, said Sun Shoushan, spokesman of the General Administration of Press and
Publication.
Eight other companies in Beijing and Guangdong Province were ordered to halt
production while being investigated, Sun said.
Sun's administration and public security departments have examined 48 compact
disk copying companies in 18 provinces and municipalities over the past few
months.
Its crackdown on piracy demonstrates the administration's strong
determination to carry out IPR protection, Sun said. "We want to send a message
to enterprises that piracy is not allowed."
The compact disk copying sector has grown rapidly over the past two decades
as more investment entities, including State-owned, private and foreign
companies, have entered the industry.
This sector is becoming an important part of the nation's information
industry and the press and publication industry, Sun said.
"At the same time, most of the enterprises are well aware of IPR protection
and operate their businesses in line with the laws and regulations," he added.
However, Sun pointed out, problems still exist in IPR protection within the
country.
"We still have a lot of problems waiting to be resolved in IPR protection
because we have limited experience in this area," he said.
Poor awareness of IPR protection among ordinary people and a need for further
reform in the market add to the problem, Sun added.
While cracking down on illegal enterprises, the administration will offer
support for businesses who have their own intellectual property rights.
We will provide preferential policies so businesses can grow and prosper, the
spokesman said.
"In the second half of this year, the administration will take steps to
promote technological development and transformation, as well as marketing, to
help the industry continue to grow," Sun said.
(China Daily 03/27/2006 page2)