U.S. Commerce officials wants harsh response to China’s IPR violators
A U.S. Commerce Department official said the Chinese government must come down hard on businesses and individuals who violate intellectual property rights.
During a press conference in Beijing Thursday, William Lash, U.S. assistant secretary of commerce for market access and compliance, called the IPR violations in China “epidemic.” He said damages to U.S. businesses from Chinese piracy range from $20 billion to $24 billion a year.
Lash urged the Chinese government to set high penalties for IPR violators.
“Pirates don’t need education. Pirates need jail time. Pirates don’t respect rules. Pirates respect force,” he said.