Real War on Fake DVDs

Four government agencies have joined forces this month to stop digital video disk pirating in China. The State Copyright Administration, the State Press and Publication Administration, the Ministry of Public Security and the State Administration of Industry and Commerce will go after the DVD pirates.

The Copyright Administration has gone after illegal video and audio products for a decade.

The agencies released a document saying the producers of pirated DVDs will be punished according to the Copyright Law.

DVDs, which feature better sound and pictures than video compact disks, or VCDs, are becoming increasingly popular with urban residents, particularly in large cities. DVD player manufacturers are also competing more and more fiercely.

However, authorized DVD and VCD makers cannot satisfy current demand because of their prices and limited supplies.

A legitimate DVD costs about 50 yuan (US$6); a pirated one costs 10 to 20 yuan. Pirated DVDs are cheaper because the maker has paid no copyright fee. And they are spreading fast, hurting authorized dealers and copyright holders.

The document from the agencies said public security departments work more with other government agencies and quickly act on clues provided by copyright and commercial administration departments.

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