Internet pirates face large fines

Internet distributors of illegally copied music, movies and other protected material may face fines of up to US$12,500. The move would up the pressure on search engines like Baidu.com while internet service providers would have to give the authorities information on sites that distribute pirated material. Baidu, the most popular search engine in China, offers a service that allows users to find MP3 files. Last year, several international music companies sued Baidu for allowing free downloads. Now the Beijing-based company may have to cooperate with authorities. The government fines apply to individuals and companies that sell equipment or technology to make illegal copies.