Friday, February 10, 2012

Chinese Court Cracks Down On Counterfeiters

December 31, 2008

A Chinese court on Wednesday sentenced 11 ringleaders of the world's largest software counterfeiting syndicate to prison sentences ranging from 1.5 to 6.5 years -- the longest sentences handed down in China's history for this type of crime. Those sentenced by the Futian People's Court were arrested in July 2007 following an international investigation led by China's Public Security Bureau and the FBI, and assisted by information provided by Microsoft and hundreds of its customers and partners.

The group manufactured and distributed upwards of $2 billion worth of high-quality counterfeit Microsoft software, the high-tech giant said in a press release. The counterfeit content -- found in 36 countries and on five continents -- contained fake versions of 19 of Microsoft's most popular products and was produced in at least 11 languages. "This case is a testament to the importance of Microsoft's commitment to close collaboration with government bodies and local law enforcement agencies around the world to bring these criminals to justice, wherever they may be," Microsoft anti-piracy chief David Finn said.

Moving forward, Microsoft will continue to work with Chinese authorities to ensure that counterfeit software does not undermine the development of China's knowledge economy, said Fengming Liu, vice president of Microsoft Greater China Region. "This case is also a strong demonstration of the improvement in criminal law legislation and enforcement of intellectual property rights in China," added Zhao Bingzhi, president of the Criminal Law Research Committee of the China Law Society and vice president of the China Group of the International Association of Penal Law.

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Juliana Gruenwald

Tech Writer

E-Mail: jgruenwald@nationaljournal.com.


Juliana Gruenwald has been covering tech and telecom issues for more than a decade for National Journal, Interactive Week, BNA and Congressional Quarterly. This is her second stint with National Journal. She was recruited by NJ in 1998 to help launch its first tech policy publication, Technology Daily. She left in 2000 to cover international tech and telecom issues for Ziff Davis Media's Interactive Week magazine. She started her career at United Press International as the wire service's first Helen Thomas Intern. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Minnesota. A Minneapolis native, she misses the lakes but not the cold.


Josh Smith

Tech Reporter

E-Mail: joshsmith@nationaljournal.com.


Josh Smith covers technology policy as a staff reporter for National Journal. He previously interned at National Journal Daily, a Senate press office, and the Deseret News in Salt Lake City where he covered the state legislature, courts, and crime. In 2009 he graduated with honors from Southern Utah University after managing an award-winning student newspaper as editor-in-chief. Josh has received state, regional and national awards for his political and policy reporting, including first place in CapitolBeat’s 2009 Best of Statehouse Reporting college competition. A native of drop-dead-gorgeous Utah, Josh lives in Virginia with his wife, Amber.