Fourteen illegal compact disk enterprises copying video and audio products throughout the country have been punished as part of the nation's efforts to intensify its protection of the intellectual property right (IPR), a senior press official said yesterday.

Licences of six companies in Henan and Guangdong provinces and Chongqing Municipality were suspended in a nationwide crack-down campaign starting in January, said Sun Shoushan, spokesman of the General Administration of Press and Publication.

Eight other companies in Beijing and Guangdong Province were ordered to halt production while being investigated, Sun said.

Sun's administration and public security departments have examined 48 compact disk copying companies in 18 provinces and municipalities over the past few months.

Its crackdown on piracy demonstrates the administration's strong determination to carry out IPR protection, Sun said. "We want to send a message to enterprises that piracy is not allowed."

The compact disk copying sector has grown rapidly over the past two decades as more investment entities, including State-owned, private and foreign companies, have entered the industry.

This sector is becoming an important part of the nation's information industry and the press and publication industry, Sun said.

"At the same time, most of the enterprises are well aware of IPR protection and operate their businesses in line with the laws and regulations," he added.

However, Sun pointed out, problems still exist in IPR protection within the country.

"We still have a lot of problems waiting to be resolved in IPR protection because we have limited experience in this area," he said.

Poor awareness of IPR protection among ordinary people and a need for further reform in the market add to the problem, Sun added.

While cracking down on illegal enterprises, the administration will offer support for businesses who have their own intellectual property rights.

We will provide preferential policies so businesses can grow and prosper, the spokesman said.

"In the second half of this year, the administration will take steps to promote technological development and transformation, as well as marketing, to help the industry continue to grow," Sun said.

(China Daily 03/27/2006 page2)