The China Film Copyright Protection Association (CFCA) was established in Beijing on Monday.
  
The non-profit organization made up of 62 film-related companies in China will provide copyright consultation and assistance for members, Zhu Yongde, the association president said.
  
The association, initiated by the China Film Producers Association, City Cinema Association of China, Chinese Film Circulation and Projection Association and China Audio-visual Producers Association, is also expected to make suggestions to the government for the film copyright protection plan, promote the protection of film copyrights in China, and take part in international exchanges with overseas counterparts.
 
At the first general assembly held on Monday, the association issued the Declaration of Film Copyright Protection which urges the public not to buy pirated VCDs or DVDs, which are easy to obtain here.
  
"The association will protect not only Chinese-made films but also imported films," Zhu said.
  
China's Ministry of Culture (MOC) and the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT) on July 13 signed a memorandum to crack down on pirated US films.
  
Michael C. Ellis, senior vice president & regional director of the Motion Picture Association (MPA), extended his congratulations to the CFCA, saying fighting piracy and promoting IPR are something that people can and must work together on to build a healthy film industry.
  
"I look forward to a long term working relationship (with the association). This year marks the 100th anniversary of Chinese film-making, and there is no better time than now for this platform," Ellis said.
  
Film piracy is an ongoing problem in China. In 2004, authorities confiscated 39.37 million pirated copies.

(Xinhua News Agency August 30, 2005)