China Reports Sharp Rise In Customs Seizures Linked To Copyright Piracy

BEIJING, Aug 28 (AFP) - Chinese customs have seen an annual 30 percent rise in seizures linked to violations of intellectual property rights since the country joined the World Trade Organisation almost three years ago, the official Xinhua news agency said Saturday.
Beefed up inspections of exports and imports led to "efficient customs work in intellectual property protection," the agency said.
Studies by experts abroad show that at least 70 percent of counterfeit products in the world are made in China. Intellectual property violations in the textile sector are said to be at their highest so far.
After the Chinese customs officials were given charge in 1994 of checking intellectual property violations, they carried out more than 4,000 seizures worth 600 million yuan (72.5 million dollars), Xinhua said.