China takes tips on fakes
Country's improved laws, campaigns reaping dividends
"We'll leave violators nowhere to hide," vice premier Wu Yi told business executives in Beijing Thursday, adding that combating piracy was in China's interest because it would help the country develop as a player in innovation.
She told delegates Beijing had been "sincere and serious in protecting intellectual property rights" and said China's improved laws, anti-piracy campaigns and publicity were reaping dividends.
Widescale infringement of intellectual property rights for movies, music and software provokes the ire of multinational corporations and is an ongoing irritant to relations between Washington and Beijing.
Wu said boosting IPR observance would help increase foreign investment in China.
Police dealt with 42,645 trademark infringement cases last year, with 3,529 people convicted and 845 facing trials, she added.
Despite advances, Wu admitted that IPR infringement was still rampant and, in certain cases, law enforcement was loose and government agencies were lenient with violators.
Earlier this month, U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman issued a report that said lack of IPR protection was "one of China's greatest shortcomings."
