China Takes Small Step Toward IP Rights Enforcement

CNet News is reporting that the Chinese government had signed a Memorandum of Understanding addressing copyright and software piracy with the Business Software Alliance and The Publishers Association in the U.K., and, in the U.S., the Association of American Publishers and the Motion Picture Association of America. According to a Business Software Alliance representative, "this is primarily for enforcement."

Meanwhile the United States Trade Representative released its annual report to Congress on China's compliance with its WTO obligations which highlighted, among other issues, the need for additional action in intellectual property rights enforcement. [RJ & JH]