For Immediate Release
Contact: Acacia O’Connor (AAP): aoconnor@publishers.org
Simon Bell (PA): sbell@publishers.org.uk
Zhejiang Copyright Authorities Move to Stop Pirated Textbooks
June 25, 2008, Washington, D.C.: The Association of American Publishers (AAP) and the Publishers Association of the U.K. (PA) warmly welcomed recent actions by the Zhejiang Provincial Copyright Bureau to crack down on the reproduction and sale of pirated books in the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou.Working with right holder representatives and national authorities in the People’s Republic of China, the Zhejiang Copyright Bureau raided warehouses belonging to a textbook center affiliated with the prestigious Zhejiang University, seizing nearly 500 suspected infringing titles.The University officials reportedly cooperated in the inspection and enforcement action.
The books, many of which are published by AAP and PA member companies, were primarily professional, medical, scientific and technical titles and all were aimed at a university readership.
PA and AAP international directors Simon Bell and Patricia Judd said both organizations were pleased with the action by the Bureau: “This was the first time the PA and AAP have complained to the Zhejiang Bureau, and their willingness to act in a timely manner and to work with our representatives to raid this establishment is definitely a positive step in the countrywide battle against on-campus textbook piracy.It is imperative that we act swiftly and decisively as there is a narrow window of opportunity to act against academic book piracy at the start of every term,” stated Ms Judd.
Mr. Bell echoed this sentiment: “We are pleased with the cooperation on the raid, and are also grateful for the support of the national authorities in getting the raid details. The flow of information is crucial to the success of these endeavours and the ability to streamline ongoing efforts. We commend the General Administration of Press and Publication for ensuring a helpful level of transparency.It is good to see the provincial and national authorities working together on a matter of great importance. We are confident that the authorities will bring this case to a conclusion that demonstrates the Chinese government’s seriousness about curbing textbook piracy in Chinese universities and sends out a clear message that piracy will not be tolerated in China.”
AAP is the national trade association of the U.S. book publishing industry. The association’smore than300 members include most of the major commercial publishers in the United States, as well as smaller and non-profit publishers, university presses and scholarly societies. AAP members publish hardcover and paperback books in every field, educational materials for the elementary, secondary, postsecondary, and professional markets, scholarly journals, computer software, and electronic products and services. The protection of intellectual property rights in all media, the defense of the freedom to read and the freedom to publish at home and abroad, and the promotion of reading and literacy are among the association’s highest priorities.
The Publishers Association is the leading trade organization serving book, journal and electronic publishers in the UK. It brings publishers together to discuss the main issues facing the industry and to define the practical policies that will take the industry forward. The aim of The Publishers Association is to serve and promote by all lawful means the interest of book journal and electronic publishers and to protect those interests.
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