Update on Theft & Piracy by China
China is failing to prevent growing product piracy and could be forced to answer formal complaints about this in the World Trade Organization if it doesn't take more aggressive action to stop it, according to a U.S. envoy. James Mendenhall, general counsel for the U.S. Trade Representative, said: "The problem is getting worse. What's needed is substantial reform of the entire approach China takes on the issue."
China is widely regarded as the world's top producer of illegal copies of music, movies, software, designer clothes, medicines and other products. China claims it has amended laws, launched anti-piracy campaigns, and publicized some crackdowns, but fake products continue to be widely available.
U.S. officials contend unauthorized goods are costing legitimate producers worldwide up to $50 billion a year in lost potential sales. Companies sometimes discover copies of their own equipment at trade shows that are practically identical with the original product. The U.S. wants to see stiffer penalties and the permanent closure of factories and stores linked to counterfeits, plus more active enforcement by local governments. Associated Press, 3-3-06
More Update on Theft & Piracy by China
The United States isn't the only country up in arms about China's large-scale theft of intellectual property rights. Germany is incensed about China's piracy of ideas and patents, trademark and product piracy. A spokesman for the German Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing Association said that China's behavior is particularly threatening to Germany, which derives much of its economic advantage from innovation and cutting-edge technology.
Fully 70% of all illegal copycat products come from Asia, mostly from China, in what has mushroomed into a $300 billion market. China's piracy doesn't merely mean copying Adidas running shoes or Gucci watches. Recently, China has been pirating expensive, high-tech knowledge and duplicating entire machines and technologically advanced products such as passenger jets and magnetic railroad systems.
China's Minister of Science and Technology Xu Guanhua recently suggested that the Chinese "must acquire as many key technologies as possible, as well as more intellectual property." He didn't mention whether China plans to pay for its acquisitions or steal them. Der Spiegel, 2-22-06
Update on Culture in China
The Chinese still love their Communist dictator who was history's champion mass-murderer. China is erecting a mammoth statue of Chairman Mao Zedong in Tibet to commemorate the 30th anniversary of his death. Mao ordered the Chinese takeover of Tibet in 1950, and the Dalai Lama and tens of thousands fled into exile. BBC News
China boasts a 98% conviction rate. China jailed 840,000 people last year and found only 2,162 defendants not guilty. Those accused of a crime have only a 2% chance of being found not guilty. Over 70% of defendants have no lawyer to represent them. How many people are executed each year is a state secret, but estimates are 6,000 to 12,000. The Scotsman, 3-13-06
China will build 32 nuclear power plans over the next 15 years. That is China's plan to met its ever-increasing energy needs. China has 7 of the world's 10 most polluted cities and relies on dangerous coal mines (claiming 6,000 lives a year) to feed its power stations for about 70% of its energy needs. The Scotsman, 2-28-06
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