More than 400 cases constitute a big catch in the four-month crackdown on online infringement of intellectual property rights (IPR).

But just as the spokesman of the National Copyright Administration told the press on Thursday, the fight against online piracy is far from over.

The cases, in which websites were penalized for online IPR violation, involved illicit downloading services and online peddling of pirated materials. In total, the authorities suspended 205 websites suspected of IPR violation. They are only the tip of a virtual iceberg. Since the concept of IPR protection in cyberspace is relatively new to our compatriots, the scope of violation may be much broader than anticipated.

At the same time, ignorance may easily lead innocent online service providers astray.

Due to limited financial and human resources, many websites lack enough original content to provide competitive service. To survive, they have to resort to outside sources.

When appropriate IPR procedures are observed, there is no problem recycling material from others, especially when Internet surfers want the ease of seeing as much as possible at a single source. The country's copyright laws have explicit rules on approval and payment.

But not everyone takes the regulations seriously, because law enforcement in this area has yet to match the scope of the law.

It is impossible for our copyright authorities to adequately patrol virtual space and bring all violators to justice.

The authorities made a wise choice in listening to copyright holders at home and abroad before mounting the latest attack. The foreign copyright holders provided tips for 170 cases filed.

The authorities should continue to consult with copyright organizations, so as to make informed decisions.

It is a good idea to incorporate the online fight against pirating with the much broader one declared by 10 government ministries in December. On the heels of a 100-day intensive crackdown on IPR infringement, the 10 ministries vowed to make the war on IPR violation a daily concern.

Copyright holders, both in China and overseas, should be heartened to know that the National Copyright Administration has vowed to push ahead with the online battle as long as complaints exist.

But the battle should not be limited to crackdowns. Its success entails educating the public on the issues of online piracy.

(China Daily February 9, 2007)