Microsoft and the authorities in Hangzhou recently formed a partnership to fight software piracy.

The US software giant and the city will take steps such as rewarding enterprises that use legal software and make sure all schools and PC retailers in the city are free from counterfeit software.

The deal, which the company hopes can be a model for other cities, will see it help Hangzhou develop its IT industry, while officials will encourage the use of genuine software by consumers, government agencies and enterprises.

(China Daily 06/01/2009 page9)