Nine people have been jailed for copyright violations as a
100-day intensive crackdown on piracy continues, authorities
announced on Thursday.
In Xiamen, east China's Fujian Province, Wang Guimei was sentenced to
13 years in prison for illegally operating and profiting from
pornography. He was also fined 40,000 yuan (US$5,000), according to
the national anti-pornography and anti-piracy office.
"The severe punishment demonstrates the government's
determination to battle piracy and protect intellectual property,"
the office said.
Huang Yilong and Chen Zengcai were each given a one-year
sentence for selling pirated CDs and DVDs on the Internet and a
fine of 10,000 yuan (US$1,250) each.
Three people in Ningbo, east China's Zhejiang Province were also given prison
sentences for selling pirated publications.
Hu Lanfang and Zhang Donghai were given 18-month and eight-month
jail terms for illegal publication, and fines of 200,000 yuan
(US$25,000) and 100,000 yuan (US$12,500) respectively.
Zhang Hansheng in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, was sentenced to prison for
two years and fined 3,000 yuan (US$375) for selling pirated DVDs
and computer software.
The 100-day campaign, which started on July 25, is reportedly
the first of its kind in terms of duration and number of government
departments involved.
Last month, China destroyed nearly 13 million pirated CDs, DVDs
and computer software.
(Xinhua News Agency October 20, 2006)