China has jailed nine people in its latest campaign against piracy as a 100-day intensive crackdown on piracy continues, authorities announced on Thursday.

Wang Guimei in Xiamen, East China's Fujian Province, was sentenced to prison for 13 years for illegally operating and profiting from pornography. He was also fined 40,000 (US$5,000), according to the national anti-pornography and anti-piracy office.

"The severe punishment demonstrates the government's determination to battle piracy and protect intellectual property," the office said.

Three people in Ningbo, East China's Zhejiang Province were also given 13-year prison sentences for selling pirated publications.

Hu Lanfang and Zhang Donghai were each given 18-month and eight-month jail terms for illegal publication and fines of 200,000 yuan (US$25,000) and 100,000 yuan (US$12,500).

Zhang Hansheng in Qingdao, East China's Shandong Province, was sentenced to prison for two years and fined 3,000 yuan (US$375) for selling pirated DVDs and computer software.

Huang Yilong and Chen Zengcai were given a one-year imprisonment in Xiamen for selling pirated CDs and DVDs via the Internet and a fine of 10,000 yuan (US$1,250).

The 100-day campaign started on July 25 and is said to be unprecedented in terms of its duration and number of government departments involved.

Last month, China destroyed nearly 13 million pirated CDs, DVDs and computer software as part of the campaign.

(Xinhua News Agency October 20, 2006)