Copyright crackdown

Source: Xinhua  |   2008-6-13  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

CHINA yesterday launched a four-month campaign to crack down on Internet intellectual copyright infringement in an attempt to ensure legal online communication services as the Olympics approach.

Xu Chao, a senior official with the National Copyright Administration, said the campaign aimed at preventing illegal dissemination of Olympic events and related activities online in accordance with the country's Copyright Law, the Olympic Charter and relevant agreements between the Chinese government and the International Olympic Committee.

According to the administration, Youtube-like video-sharing Websites will be the focus of the drive.

The campaign will also step up scrutiny of large Websites that deal in music, films, software, books and games.

"We will also mobilize online authors and the public to cooperate in this. They can report alleged infringements through a hotline or on the Internet," said Xu.

According to the Beijing authorities, during the games, anyone can report infringements on the hotline, 12312.

Last month, China offered rewards to citizens who reported Olympic logo infringements. The largest reward is 100,000 yuan (US$14,286).