The courts in East China's Shanghai recently delivered convictions in a significant case involving copyright infringement of medical equipment software and manuals developed by industry leaders Philips, General Electric (GE) Healthcare and Siemens Healthineers. These companies employ advanced security measures like encryption devices and authentication systems to protect their intellectual property.

From March 2019 to July 2022, Liu Changsheng, without authorization, manufactured devices to bypass these security measures.

He directed colleague Liu Man to illegally market and sell the copyrighted materials online, resulting in illicit gains of over 910,000 yuan ($125,671). Liu Changsheng also instructed Liu Man to sell encryption devices and pirated software, collecting over 140,000 yuan.

Similarly, Liu Jiawang, a repair technician, engaged in the unauthorized sale of pirated encryption devices and software, bringing in illegal profits of over 150,000 yuan through online platforms.

On April 12, 2023, Liu Changsheng was sentenced to three years and two months in prison and fined 700,000 yuan. Liu Man received a suspended one-year sentence with an 80,000 yuan fine.

Liu Jiawang was also given a suspended sentence of one year and two months and fined 80,000 yuan. These rulings are said to highlight the stringent penalties for copyright infringements in the medical technology sector.