China’s Digital Piracy Troubles for US Companies
China’s Digital Pirates Evade Law Enforcement
China’s digital pirates are becoming more sophisticated, blocking their services to avoid local law enforcement, leading American copyright owners to call for action. The International Intellectual Property Alliance (IIPA) is urging China to crack down on “export-only piracy,” highlighting the issue in a recent presentation to the U.S. Trade Representative.
Different Tactics in Game Piracy
The report reveals that game piracy in China is shifting towards reskinning original games with minor revisions, rather than traditional cracking methods. However, China’s enforcement of intellectual property law is described as slow, inconsistent, and bureaucratic, allowing pirates to evade law enforcement through geoblocking services.
Request for Specific Reforms
The IIPA is requesting specific reforms to address the issue, including more resources and coordination from China’s National Copyright Administration, simplified complaint procedures, and clearer rules for user-uploaded content platforms. They also call for enforcement of laws on all piracy operations originating from China and improved cooperation with other countries to prevent geoblocked piracy.
