The editorial, 'Unwarranted criticism' (South China Morning Post, April 4) - which chastised the United States for including Hong Kong on its new 'hit list of places not doing enough to safeguard intellectual property rights' - is flawed.
Firstly, if Beijing had suggested imposing stiffer penalties for criminals who pirate computer software and movies, most of the world would have supported it. The fact is that Hong Kong has laws but they are not implemented to the full and, in some cases, not at all.
Recently I visited a computer mall in Hennessy Road. In the corridors, between the shops, were many boxes of pirated software openly for sale. Also, a friend of mine recently bought a computer in such a mall, and it was loaded with software at no extra charge.
Until this practice of turning a blind eye to the supply and sale of copied software is stamped out, Hong Kong will always be on someone's hit list. As for the 'double pricing policy', I am not sure what is meant by this. Although in some Asian countries the prices are inflated, original software is generally available for sale in Hong Kong at or below the US list prices. It is also true that some titles are available through mail order and in discount warehouses in the US and Europe at lower prices, but this is because of the substantially larger market.
The fact that Hong Kong may be introducing tougher legislation is commendable but, if it is not enforced, it will mean nothing.
MARTYN L WILLES Central