New China hits pirates hard

**Bacteria**

China hits pirates hard

Chris Forrester, on 05-01-2009

Chinese authorities have jailed software pirates responsible for more than $2bn-worth of counterfeiting for terms of up to 6.5 years. The gang were described as the “world’s largest software counterfeiting” group, and were operating out of the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen.

The action resulted from the combined efforts of the US FBI, China’s Public Security Bureau, Microsoft and others suffering from a history of lost sales. The World Trade Organisation has frequently argued with China that it isn’t doing enough to curb piracy, which is endemic and affects DVDs, computer software, and illegal downloading and redistribution of content.

The gang was raided in July, and the jail term handed out at the end of December