A World Trade Organization dispute panel has ruled generally in favour of of the United States in its complaint against Chinese restrictions on the import and distribution of copyrighted publications and audiovisual products. 

The WTO ruling is a significant victory for the U.S. in its efforts to open up China's market to imports of films, DVDs and books.

While the WTO dispute panel has called on China to lift restrictions on imports and the distribution of copyrighted products, it has also ruled that several claims made by the U.S. fell were outside of the scope of its review. The claims included complaints about excessive red tape facing foreign distributors and restrictions on imported electronic publications, according to findings of the case.
Although it is quite possible that China will appeal the matter, U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk called the ruling "a clear win". "This decision", Kirk said in a statement, "promises to level the playing field for American companies working to distribute high-quality entertainment products in China, so that legitimate American products can get to market and beat out the pirates."

The ruling follows on the heals of a final WTO ruling in March that also largely backed the U.S. in a similar matter where the U.S. called for stronger protection of intellectual property right standards in China.

 http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news09_e/363r_e.htm

 http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dispu_e/363r_conc_e.pdf