The problem of infringement on intellectual property rights is not unique to China as Europe and the United States also witness rampant IPR violations, a Chinese government official said Tuesday in Beijing.

Citing a survey released by the US Business Software Alliance on May 18, Zhang Zhigang, office director of the State Work Group on IPR Protection and also vice minister of commerce, said that losses incurred by piracy (or the value of illegal software) in Europe and the United States are the highest, with the per capita loss reported there far surpassing that in the Asia-Pacific region.

"Therefore, the priorities in the global crackdown on piracy should first be the EU, then the United States and then the Asia- Pacific region. China does not deserve to be among the top priorities yet," said Zhang at a press conference held by the State Council Information Office.

Source: Xinhua