Street vendors selling pirated DVDs and factories manufacturing them are being targeted in a new Chinese government campaign to fight piracy.

From July 15 to October 25, China will wage a 100-day campaign with intense efforts to investigate and shut down institutions engaged in producing, selling, renting and selling pirated audio-video products and computer software and severely punish those involved in these activities, according to the National Anti-Pornography and Anti-Piracy Office.

The campaign, jointly launched by ten ministries and national departments, including the Ministry of Public Security, State Administration of Press and Publication, National Copyright Administration, Ministry of Culture, will also target street vendors, underground shops and warehouses selling and storing pirated DVDs and software.

"The campaign aims to clean up the audio-video and software market and to raise the awareness of both businesses and the public of fighting piracy," the national office said.

(Xinhua News Agency July 14, 2006)