CD pirates move into the shadows but are still busy

Local authorities say they have yet to substantiate the claim of links to organized crime but say piracy is difficult enough to handle even without the crime gangs getting involved.

Justice Minister Chen Ding-nan (陳定南), who has come under fire from people who enjoy cheap access to software from the likes of the US giant Microsoft Corp, said public awareness was weak.

"In the past we were poor but things are different now. With per capita income of over US$12,000, the government has no reason to tolerate piracy," Chen said.

"If people can't respect other people's intellectual property and copyright, they won't be accustomed to abiding by the law."