China may require manufacturers to disclose software code

[Grubert]

Source: the Yomiuri newspaper as cited by Bloomberg

By Tak Kumakura

April 24 (Bloomberg) -- China will require manufacturers of digital appliances to disclose software source code as early as next month, the Yomiuri newspaper reported, without saying where it obtained the information.

Chinese officials will visit companies in Japan to check products. Products won’t be allowed to be manufactured or sold in China if the companies refuse to have their products checked, the newspaper said.

Technology companies have been asking China not to implement such a requirement because their technology may be stolen. China cites the need to prevent software viruses as the reason for the introduction of the system, the report said.

China informed Japan and the U.S. of a plan to introduce the system by the end of this month, the report said.