Beginning from January 1, 2004, the government will launch a campaign to crack down on Internet game piracy by some local websites, companies and individuals who provide illegal gaming services.

Those who have engaged in such on-line piracy will be punished in accordance with the law, said Yu Yongzhan, deputy director of the General Administration of Press and Publications (GAPP), Tuesday.

The five departments involved in this campaign include the GAPP,the information Industry Ministry, the General Administration for Industry and Commerce, the National Copyright Administration, and the National Anti-Pornography Office.

These pirates are making illegal profits by setting up unlicensed servers and operating the game business illegally, Yu explained.

The rampant piracy is threatening the booming online business in China, which is expected to earn two billion yuan (about 240 million US dollars) this year.

(People's Daily December 25, 2003)