China's copyright registrations hit record high

Annual copyright registrations in China exceeded 1 million in 2013 and hit a record high, the National Copyright Administration of China (NCAC) said on Thursday. More than 845,000 of the registrations were publications such as photographs and about 165,000 were software, according to a statement, which added that the number of copyright pledges surpassed 200. China claims it is meeting its international obligations in the protection of copyrights. In April 2013, NCAC deputy director Yan Xiaohong said the Chinese central government is performing its duties when it comes to copyright protection regarding software products, including those used by government agencies. About 60,000 people suspected of intellectual property rights infringement were seized by police last year, amid a crackdown on the crime. Those people came under suspicion in more than 55,000 cases with an estimated value of 173 billion yuan (about 28 billion U.S. dollars), according to the Ministry of Public Security.