Chinese Pirates Undeterred By Pact

Pirated copies of American software, compact discs and movies are being produced in record numbers despite an accord China signed earlier this year pledging to end the illegal practice, U.S. businessmen said Thursday.

While praising Chinese authorities for raiding retailers and seizing pirated goods, the businessmen said little has been done to halt production. They warned that China could face a renewed threat of U.S. trade sanctions.

The two countries were on the brink of a trade war before China agreed in February to specific measures to end piracy. U.S. Assistant Trade Representative Lee Sands is in Beijing this week to review of China’s efforts to carry out the agreement.

Also meeting with Chinese officials were representatives of the Software Publishers Association, the International Trademark Association, Warner Music and International Intellectual Property Alliance.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Chen Jian said Chinese authorities are making headway in implementing the accord.

“This is for all to see and is also recognized by the U.S. side,” he told reporters.

But the Americans said only one of China’s 27 to 33 compact disc manufacturers has stopped producing pirated goods.

Pirated CDs have been found in Hong Kong and copies of Microsoft’s Windows 95 in Cyrillic have been discovered heading for Russia.