Jilin to crack down online IPR infringement

Jilin government recently reinforced its IPR (intellectual property rights) protection law enforcement via a campaign called "Jianwang Operation" against online IPR infringement. The campaign is expected to run from July to the end of November. The province's Copyright Office, Internet Information Office, Communication Management Office and the Public Security Department are working together to combat online piracy.

The move is an active response to the central government's call to improve the socialist market economy and its relevant legal system.

Over the past few years, Chinese government has enhanced its dominant role of the judiciary in IPR protection to significantly raise the cost for offenders and fully unlock the deterrent effect of relevant laws.

Various online platforms, including live webcasts, knowledge sharing and audio books, are under strict regulations while music, videos and fictions without copyrights are no longer available for netizens.

According to the campaign, Jilin government will draw great attention on online private cinemas and viral short video apps. The act of replicating, spreading and performing other people's videos, music, photos, animations and articles will be severely condemned and punished. A number of illegal news websites, Weibo accounts and WeChat accounts will be shut down accordingly.

The province's Copyright Office will also encourage citizens to report online crimes so as to promote the idea of intellectual property and to further strengthen the protection of intellectual property rights.

A system of fair competition is expected to be built through the joint efforts of the government and the people.