The China Enterprise Copyright Alliance was set up in Beijing yesterday to accelerate and enhance the country's copyright-related industries.

"Copyright related issues have become extremely critical," said Yan Xiaohong, deputy commissioner of National Copyright Administration. "In a software firm the successful protection of its copyright is vital for its development, even existence."

Today, copyright protection has become an important system to encourage and protect intelligence creation and promote national core competitiveness.

In 2001 copyright related industries contributed 12 per cent to the national gross domestic product in the United States, compared with 5 per cent in China.

"The Chinese Government will further upgrade the copyright legal system and public awareness of copyright protection, as well as strengthen the roles played by non-governmental agencies and industrial organizations," Yan said,

According to Jiang Jun, chairman of China Enterprise Copyright Alliance, the organization is a spontaneous non-governmental entity deeply rooted in the intellectual economy and related international trade.

Its members include such sectors as news and publishing, software, online games, animation, integrated circuit design, movie and TV music works.

Six recognized Chinese enterprises with close links to intellectual property rights (IPRs) are the initiators - Shanda Networking, Netease Group, Microsoft China, Sina Group, Beijing Kingsoft and Sunchime Cartoon Group.

"The alliance will see the establishment of an efficient and long-term dialogue mechanism between Chinese enterprises and international copyright organizations, governments and media," Jiang said.

(China Daily 12/12/2006 page2)