Enterprises are the primary culprits and victims of IPR violations. Until this party in the copyright discourse sees a clear and present danger in IPR abuse, violators will always have safe havens.

The copyright alliance is inspiring precisely because it was a spontaneous industry response. The initiators, firms from such IPR-intensive industries as publishing, broadcasting and computer software, are among the most vulnerable to copyright violations.

Fear of IPR theft has scared many innovative firms away from substantial investment in original research and development. Such loss belongs not only to the firms themselves, but also to the nation's innovation dream.

The group may in the first place be an outcome of victims' thirst for collective self-defence. But to achieve that, they have to learn to respect others' rights as well. The alliance's pledge of self-discipline and blacklisting violators will help cultivate such a notion in the industries.

Considering its current small membership, the alliance is far from representative in the sea of domestic firms. But it is on the right path towards lasting prosperity.

For the benefit of the firms, and that of all our national industries, we hope the alliance is embraced by more and more with copyright concerns.

(China Daily 12/13/2006 page4)

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