Measures for innovation

China's Ministry of Finance has issued new measures for government purchase of independently innovated products.

The measures say the products should be consistent with national laws, administrative rules and regulations and in line with the state's industrial, technology and other policies.

They should also be key innovative products or technologies not yet in production and use. The products must have clear ownership and own independent IPR and a high degree of innovation, potential economic benefits, good market prospects or can replace imported products.

Online piracy fight

Chinese authorities investigated 1,001 copyright infringement cases during a campaign against online piracy from August to October last year, 60 percent more than the combined number of 2005 and 2006.

Yan Xiaohong, vice-director of the National Copyright Administration said at a press briefing that the authorities closed 339 illegal websites, confiscated 123 servers and imposed fines of more than 870,000 yuan on violators.

One was Beijing-based Jinhudong Corp that illegally authorized other companies to use more than 1,000 movies, earning profits of over 10 million yuan.

It was the biggest Internet piracy case yet uncovered by Chinese police, according to Gao Feng, vice director with the Ministry of Public Security's economic crimes division.

Yet the campaign's achievement were not enough as copyright infringement is still "very severe" in the country, Yan said. The campaign was a joint effort of the NCA, the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Information Industry.

Shanghai campaigns

Shanghai authorities organized a series of campaigns to battle pornography and illegal publications with more than 10.5 million illegal publications confiscated and 19 sellers of obscene and illegal publications sentenced to jail.

A national teleconference on battling such publications lauded Shanghai's efforts.

Shandong light industry

About 60 percent of the 2007 output value of Shandong province's light industry was in top brands including Haier, a pilot innovative firm. The province made 45 more China top brands and 82 additional Shandong provincial famous brands in 2007.

There are 156 types of light industrial products in 137 enterprises making China top brands, ranking the province No 2 in the nation. Light industry in Shandong will create 20 more China famous brands and 80 Shandong provincial top brands in 2008.

(China Daily 02/02/2008 page9)