China gets tough on product piracy

China launched a six-month crackdown on intellectual property abuses in October, one that is being seen as the country’s most intensive effort against product piracy to date, the Wall Street Journal reported. The campaign includes a number of measures targeted at addressing piracy issues, which have been the subject of complaints from foreign companies. The initiatives include launching inspections to ensure that government offices are using licensed software. Officials are also aiming to stop the proliferation of fake branding among auto parts, mobile phones, food and other products in Zhejiang and Fujian – two of China’s richest provinces – and also in the southern city of Shenzhen. "I’ve been practicing here for 17 years and have not seen a push like this one," said Douglas Clark, an attorney at Hogan Lovells in Shanghai who specializes in intellectual property law. Beijing’s campaign is also being seen as an effort to promote innovation in the country.