China
Software Group: More Piracy, More Lawsuits Coming in China
Lawsuits over the use of pirated software from companies like Microsoft and Adobe Systems are likely to ramp up in China in the next year, the head of the Business Software Alliance, an industry advocacy group, said Monday. The remarks come as software makers continue to suffer large losses in China due to rampant piracy in the country, despite frequent campaigns by the Chinese government to stamp out intellectual property abuses. Lawsuits launched by BSA’s member companies or by BSA on their behalf are likely to become more common as piracy becomes a bigger problem in China, the group’s chief executive Robert Holleyman told reporters in Beijing. “The problem here is getting bigger and there are more instances of piracy” occurring, as growth in China’s personal-computer market outweighs the country’s gradually falling piracy rate, Mr. Holleyman said. BSA estimated that 78% of the PC software installed in China last year was pirated, down from 82% in 2006. Despite that, growth in the Chinese PC market means piracy is occurring more often overall. “The dollar loss, the lost opportunity, is really exploding,” Mr. Holleyman said. Microsoft and other software makers have for years used lawsuits to combat piracy of their products in China. Mr. Holleyman declined to elaborate on how much more common he thought they might become. Microsoft and Adobe didn’t immediately reply to requests for comment. Other BSA members include Apple and design-software maker Autodesk. Mr. Holleyman said he hopes China can reduce its piracy rate by 10 percentage points within four years. He urged China’s government to take further measures to fight piracy, including updating the country’s copyright law and publicly highlighting the computer-security dangers of pirated software, which is more susceptible to problems like computer viruses. China in the second quarter surpassed the U.S. to become the world’s biggest PC market , according to market research firm IDC. But highlighting how little the Chinese PC market’s growth has boosted software makers, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer in May said the company’s revenue in China this year would only be about 5% of what it gets in the U.S. , due to widespread piracy. Mr. Holleyman also raised concerns about barriers to market access in China for foreign software makers. “I continue to hear concerns about what is happening at provincial levels or municipal levels, where statements are being made that governments should only acquire domestic Chinese software,” he said. China since last year has taken various steps to ease restrictions in its controversial policies on government procurement, but some concerns remain among foreign industry and government officials about limits on foreign companies. – Owen Fletcher. Follow him on Twitter @owenfletcher
Lawsuits over the use of pirated software from companies like Microsoft and Adobe Systems are likely to ramp up in China in the next year, the head of the Business Software Alliance, an industry advocacy group, said Monday. The remarks come as software makers continue to suffer large losses in China due to rampant piracy in the country, despite frequent campaigns by the Chinese government to stamp out intellectual property abuses. Lawsuits launched by BSA’s member companies or by BSA on their behalf are likely to become more common as piracy becomes a bigger problem in China, the group’s chief executive Robert Holleyman told reporters in Beijing. “The problem here is getting bigger and there are more instances of piracy” occurring, as growth in China’s personal-computer market outweighs the country’s gradually falling piracy rate, Mr. Holleyman said. BSA estimated that 78% of the PC software installed in China last year was pirated, down from 82% in 2006. Despite that, growth in the Chinese PC market means piracy is occurring more often overall. “The dollar loss, the lost opportunity, is really exploding,” Mr. Holleyman said. Microsoft and other software makers have for years used lawsuits to combat piracy of their products in China. Mr. Holleyman declined to elaborate on how much more common he thought they might become. Microsoft and Adobe didn’t immediately reply to requests for comment. Other BSA members include Apple and design-software maker Autodesk. Mr. Holleyman said he hopes China can reduce its piracy rate by 10 percentage points within four years. He urged China’s government to take further measures to fight piracy, including updating the country’s copyright law and publicly highlighting the computer-security dangers of pirated software, which is more susceptible to problems like computer viruses. China in the second quarter surpassed the U.S. to become the world’s biggest PC market , according to market research firm IDC. But highlighting how little the Chinese PC market’s growth has boosted software makers, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer in May said the company’s revenue in China this year would only be about 5% of what it gets in the U.S. , due to widespread piracy. Mr. Holleyman also raised concerns about barriers to market access in China for foreign software makers. “I continue to hear concerns about what is happening at provincial levels or municipal levels, where statements are being made that governments should only acquire domestic Chinese software,” he said. China since last year has taken various steps to ease restrictions in its controversial policies on government procurement, but some concerns remain among foreign industry and government officials about limits on foreign companies. – Owen Fletcher. Follow him on Twitter @owenfletcher
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Software Group: More Piracy, More Lawsuits Coming in China
Business
China’s Golden Rooster Film Festival Kicks Off in Xiamen – Thailand Business News
The 2024 China Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival began in Xiamen on Nov 13, featuring awards, cultural projects worth 31.63 billion yuan, and fostering international film collaborations.
2024 China Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival Opens
The 2024 China Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival commenced in Xiamen, Fujian province, on November 13. This prestigious event showcases the top film awards in China and spans four days, concluding with the China Golden Rooster Awards ceremony on November 16.
The festival features various film exhibitions, including the Golden Rooster Mainland Film Section and the Golden Rooster International Film Section. These showcases aim to highlight the achievements of Chinese-language films and foster global cultural exchanges within the film industry.
On the festival’s opening day, a significant milestone was reached with the signing of 175 cultural and film projects, valued at 31.63 billion yuan ($4.36 billion). Additionally, the International Film and Television Copyright Service Platform was launched, furthering the globalization of Chinese film and television properties.
Source : China’s Golden Rooster film festival opens in Xiamen – Thailand Business News
China
Italy and China New DTA Set to Take Effect in 2025: Important Changes and Implications
Italy ratified an upgraded Double Tax Agreement (DTA) with China, effective in 2025, to reduce tax burdens, prevent evasion, and enhance investment. The DTA introduces modern provisions aligned with international standards, targeting tax avoidance and improving dispute resolution for Italian businesses.
Italy recently ratified the upgraded Double Tax Agreement (DTA), which will finally take effect in 2025. This agreement was signed in 2019 and was designed to reduce tax burdens, prevent tax evasion, and promote Italian investment in China.
On November 5, 2024, Italy’s Chamber of Deputies gave final approval to the ratification of the 2019 Double Tax Agreement (DTA) between Italy and China (hereinafter, referred to as the “new DTA”).
Set to take effect in 2025, the new DTA is aimed at eliminating double taxation on income, preventing tax evasion, and creating a more favorable environment for Italian businesses operating in China.
The ratification bill for the new DTA consists of four articles, with Article 3 detailing the financial provisions. Starting in 2025, the implementation costs of the agreement are estimated at €10.86 million (US$11.49 million) annually. These costs will be covered by a reduction in the special current expenditure fund allocated in the Italian Ministry of Economy’s 2024 budget, partially drawing from the reserve for the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
During the parliamentary debate, Deputy Foreign Minister Edmondo Cirielli emphasized the new DTA’s strategic importance, noting that the agreement redefines Italy’s economic and financial framework with China. Cirielli highlighted that the DTA not only strengthens relations with the Chinese government but also supports Italian businesses, which face increasing competition as other European countries have already established double taxation agreements with China. This ratification, therefore, is part of a broader series of diplomatic and economic engagements, leading up to a forthcoming visit by the President of the Italian Republic to China, underscoring Italy’s commitment to fostering bilateral relations and supporting its businesses in China’s complex market landscape.
The newly signed DTA between Italy and China, introduces several modernized provisions aligned with international tax frameworks. Replacing the 1986 DTA, the agreement adopts measures from the OECD/G20 Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) Project and the OECD Multilateral Instrument (MLI), targeting tax avoidance and improving dispute resolution.
The Principal Purpose Test (PPT) clause, inspired by BEPS, is one of the central updates in the new DTA, working to prevent treaty abuse. This clause allows tax benefits to be denied if one of the primary purposes of a transaction or arrangement was to gain a tax advantage, a move to counter tax evasion through treaty-shopping.
| This article was first published by China Briefing , which is produced by Dezan Shira & Associates. The firm assists foreign investors throughout Asia from offices across the world, including in in China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Singapore, and India . Readers may write to info@dezshira.com for more support. |
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Business
China’s New Home Prices Stabilize After 17-Month Decline Following Support Measures
China’s new home prices fell for the 17th month in October, declining 0.5% from September, but slowing, indicating potential market stabilization amid supportive measures. Second-hand home prices showed mixed trends.
Decline in China’s Home Prices Stabilizes
China’s new home prices continued to decline in October for the 17th consecutive month, although the drop showed signs of slowing. Recent support measures from Beijing appear to be inching the market toward stabilization, as evidenced by a lighter decline compared to earlier months.
Monthly and Yearly Comparisons
According to the latest data from the National Bureau of Statistics, new home prices across 70 mainland cities fell by 0.5% from September, marking the smallest decrease in seven months. Year-on-year, prices dropped by 6.2%, slightly worse than the September decline of 6.1%. In tier-1 cities like Beijing and Shanghai, prices decreased by 0.2%, a smaller fall than 0.5% in the previous month.
Second-Hand Home Market Trends
Second-hand home prices in tier-1 cities experienced a 0.4% increase in October, reversing a 13-month downward trend. Conversely, tier-2 cities observed a 0.4% drop in second-hand prices, while tier-3 cities faced a similar 0.5% decline. Overall, recent trends indicate a potential stabilization in China’s property market.
Source : China’s new home prices slow 17-month decline after support measures kick in
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