Another driving force behind lax copyright enforcement is the profits generated by the activity. In some areas counterfiting is big business and any stepped up campaign by local authorities could have a drastic effect on the local economy.

This could in turn lead to civil unrest and protests in the region in question. It is a very delicate balance with protecting a foreign artists work in order to honor these international treaties and looking out for the well being of the local populace.

Many regional officials are judged for promotion in the communist party based on the economic success of their region as well as its social stability.

If a IPR crackdown would jeopordize either of these, you can be sure the local government will not be extremely motivated to clamp down. As the saying goes, "The sky is high and the emperor is far away".

Isn't the quote, "The mountain is high and the emperor is far away"?

And you think its so different here?

Bootleg tapes made Bruce Springsteen famous...everything is not top down, you know. But you aristocrats think it is.

Candoxx is right you know. Not being born an aristocrat myself, I've always appreciated bootlegs then, free downloads now, and so forth. and anyone shocked shocked that there are counterfeit name brand products in the PRC, should we assume that they are unfamiliar with (a) the streets of New York (b) swap-meets in Hawaii (c) that place on the Oakland/San Leandro city line that looks like an old high school but sells cheap stuff to poor people. In the early '90's I bought a REALLY cool TLC (the group, not the channel) T-shirt, even though I'm all but certain the 3 young ladies never saw a penny from my purchase. Cool shirt. though.