Asia IP

An NGO that aims to improve copyright management and protection in China launched a “Source Cleaning Campaign” on January 1, 2014. The Capital Copyright Industry Alliance (CCIA) has advocated internet advertisement alliances in China stop supporting pirate websites, cutting their income at the source.

Secretary General of the CCIA Han Zhiyu said that there were a large number of small and medium websites involved in pirating and distributing almost all the illegally-distributed films and television programs. He said that these websites have not only damaged the rights of the producers, but also destroyed proper internet operation.

“Many of these websites, half of which are unlicensed, belong to a certain advertisement alliance. The pirated literature, music, movie or TV programs attracts the website more traffic, which in turns increases the advertisement alliance’s income,” said Han. The key to stop online piracy on these websites is to cut their financial source and curb the existence of such websites, he said.

According to the secretary general, Baidu and Sogou have responded positively towards the campaign. Baidu has developed software by which users can delete or replace suspected infringing websites.

The CCIA alliance includes the government, copyright associations, collection societies and copyright enterprises.