An action plan to combat intellectual property rights (IPR) violations was unveiled by the State Council yesterday to add more muscle to existing regulations and tackle the issue right down to the street level.

Many periodic campaigns have been conducted over the past few years but the comprehensive two-year plan is of overarching significance, Teng Fei of the State Council Development Research Centre, told China Daily.

"It is necessary to encourage innovation in the nation," the expert said.

Among the key points of the IPR Protection Action Guidelines (2006-07) are:

Governments should assume a greater sense of responsibility and accountability.

"IPR protection must be ranked high on the agendas of governments at various levels; and integrated into their overall plans for social and economic development," the guidelines say.

If serious offences are uncovered, relevant officials must be held responsible; and "severe punishment" meted out to those who are involved or cover up infringements.

Enforcement agencies such as the public security departments should ensure that each violation is punished according to law; and improve co-ordination among various departments.

All illegal production lines must be smashed, and transportation of pirated products through mail, air, land or rail routes will be "harshly" dealt with.

Streets should be cleared of vendors or stallholders who sell pirated products.

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