China mulls increased copyright infringement penalties

BEIJING - China is considering raising penalties for copyright infringement, according to a draft amendment published on Friday.

The draft amendment to the Copyright Law will see miscreants face fines of five times their illegal gains, or up to 250,000 yuan when the exact sum cannot be established. Previously the figures were three times and 100,000 yuan.

The draft document was published by the Legislative Affairs Office of China's State Council, or Cabinet, to solicit public opinion, which should be submitted before July 5.

It will also allow authorities to seal off and seize illicit products.