China’s government has lost its appeal against a WTO decision that its restrictions on imports of audiovisual products broke the Organisation’s rules.
The decision by the WTO’s Appellate Body upheld the initial findings of a WTO Panel in August last year, which described some of China’s actions as "discriminatory" and asked the government to remove restrictions on who can import copyright goods into China.
US Trade Representative Ron Kirk described the findings as "a big win". "The panel and Appellate Body findings ensure that legitimate American products are granted market access so that they can get to market and beat out the pirates," he added.