City cracks down on computer piracy

The Qingdao Cultural Law Enforcement Bureau has stepped up its efforts to crack down on illegal publications and violations of intellectual property rights in the past year, according to bureau officials. 

The bureau has received more than 260 reports of product piracy and prosecuted 200 cases in 2015. It also cooperated with the Qingdao Copyrights Protection Association on promotional activities, providing free copyright registration services for more than 11,000 works. 

To date, State-owned companies in Qingdao have ensured all the software they use in their office computers is authorized and legitimate. 

To create a healthy cultural environment, the bureau has launched a series of campaigns to eradicate pornographic and other illegal products in printing or electronic versions from the market, handling 446 related cases. 

As parents worry about their children becoming addicted to the Internet, the bureau has also enhanced its inspection and penalties for the illegal operation of Internet cafes, closing 155 unlicensed sites. 

To protect cultural heritage, the bureau conducted more than 500 inspections over cultural relics protection units and corrected 30 illegal or inappropriate operating behaviors. 

In addition to law enforcement, the bureau has taken action to promote healthy culture and entertainment for locals. 

It cooperated with karaoke bars to offer free singing venues for senior citizens to enrich their lives. More than 30,000 senior citizens have taken advantage of the opportunity. 

The bureau also solicited donations for building a youth culture center and an elderly cultural square in Pingdu. 

The bureau organized the second North East Asia Creative Works Fair in April. More than 350 businesses took part and displayed their publications, cartoons, games, movies, music, art and industrial designs. The revenue earned at the fair totaled 2 billion yuan ($308 million).