Wang Qishan: China to continuously combat infringement and counterfeiting and promote the use of copyrighted software in governmental agencies

To mark the World Consumer Rights Day on March 15, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council Wang Qishan, who is also the chief of the national leading group on fighting against intellectual property infringement and manufacturing and trafficking counterfeit and shoddy commodities, hosted a meeting in Beijing to highlight the importance of cracking down upon infringement and counterfeiting as well as promoting the use of copyrighted software in governmental agencies.

Wang stressed that the battle played a key role in implementing the 12th Five-Year Plan smoothly, adjusting the economic structure efficiently, building China into an innovative nation and improving people’s well-being. He urged relevant departments nationwide to increase efforts to tackle infringement and counterfeiting, promote the use of legitimate software in government organs, safeguard the rights of consumers and create a sound environment of innovation and development.

Wang applauded the accomplishments, that is, relevant departments have established working mechanisms and handled a number of serious and major cases in this regard; governmental departments have also installed authorized software.

Wang added that in the grim situation where the intellectual property rights were still confronted with challenges, relevant departments were required to establish effective long-term mechanisms and make clear working plans to tackle crimes of producing and selling spurious items, especially substandard food, drugs and building materials. As the spring was approaching, relevant departments should focus on the agricultural materials, protecting farmers from being entrapped and harmed. Policy makers should improve legislation to reinforce criminal and judicial enforcement. Cases on infringement and counterfeiting should be made public timely so as to strengthen the social supervision, said Wang.

Wang highlighted that the prior task of promoting registered software was to ensure that all provincial government agencies installed licensed software before the end of June this year; all municipal and district governmental organs eliminated pirated software before the end of December next year. Governmental departments at all levels should incorporate software procurement expenditure into the financial budget, establish a sound software asset management and audit supervision system to consolidate the achievements.

Wang also required news media to give a full play to take various ways to disseminate the accomplishments achieved in this regard, expose typical cases and illegal enterprises, and cite trustworthy and excellent businesses. [Chinese version is available on gov.cn]