World · East Asia & Pacific · 10 hrs ago
China names 10 major cases involving alleged sales of pirated books
China's National Copyright Administration and the national anti-pornography and illegal publications office announced 10 major alleged book-piracy cases.
The cases span several provinces and include people accused of printing or selling pirated books, including textbooks, study guides and popular titles.
Authorities say some sellers used online marketplaces, while other operations also involved storage, printing and delivery.
One case in Anhui involved more than 2.6 million allegedly pirated textbooks sold through 10 online shops.
Across China, officials say more than 1,400 infringement cases have been handled this year as part of a joint campaign to curb piracy.
The named cases include suspects placed under criminal measures, and prosecutors have approved the arrest of five suspects in one case in Hunan.
Authorities say the campaign has reduced illegal book printing and improved order in online sales, and investigations into the named cases are ongoing.
China’s National Copyright Administration and National Office Against Pornography and Illegal Publications announced 10 typical cases involving alleged production and sales of pirated books.
Authorities said more than 1,400 copyright-infringement cases had been investigated nationwide so far this year.
The cases include alleged printing and online sales of pirated books, textbooks and teaching materials.
Suspects in all 10 cases had been placed under criminal coercive measures by police, according to the report.
- Who
- China’s National Copyright Administration and National Office Against Pornography and Illegal Publications announced the cases.
- What
- They reported 10 cases involving alleged infringement of book copyrights, including printing and selling pirated books.
- When
- The cases were announced on November 9, 2026.
- Where
- The cases were in several parts of China.
- Why
- Authorities said they were targeting illegal copyright infringement and improving oversight of printing, delivery and sales.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The alleged illegal printing of books and recorded teaching videos began in the Shaanxi Weinan case.
The alleged purchase and online sale of pirated textbooks began in the Anhui Lu’an case.
The alleged online sale of pirated books began in the Zhejiang Jiaxing case.
The alleged unauthorized printing and online sale of school textbooks and teaching materials began in the Henan Zhengzhou case.
The suspect in the Hebei Tangshan case was placed under criminal coercive measures by police.
The two national authorities announced the 10 cases.
- Cases announced
- 10
- Cases investigated nationwide so far this year
- More than 1,400
- Lu’an case
- More than 2.6 million alleged pirated textbooks; amount involved exceeded 38 million yuan
- Xiangtan case
- More than 200 online stores; preliminary amount involved exceeded 8 million yuan
- Yulin case
- About 130,000 books; listed value exceeded 12 million yuan