The National Copyright Admi-nistration has called for a campaign to crack down on pirated copies of one of the latest animated movie hits, Shrek 2.

Shrek 2, produced by the US-based Dreamworks SKG, hit Chinese theatres on August 10. Authorized VCDs and DVDS of Shrek 2 will be on the Chinese market by November 5, a news release said Wednesday.

The campaign follows a September 20 complaint from Dreamworks to China's National Copyright Administration that some pirated copies of the movie were sold by video and audio shops in China and by street peddlers.

Copied versions of the movie are also available on some Internet-based networks.

Shrek 2 was released on May 19, 2004. It is a sequel to the Academy Award-winning blockbuster Shrek.

The administration has started to investigate this case and asked copyright departments across the country to tighten supervision on audio and video shops and websites.

In a notice circulated recently, the administration said any VCDs or DVDs of Shrek 2 sold before November 5 are regarded as pirated and will be confiscated.

Any markets or companies that sell or produce illegal copies of Shrek 2 will face penalties.

Serious cases will be submitted to judicial departments, the notice says.

The administration said regional copyright departments have stepped up to keep a close eye on audio and video shops and corresponding companies. Companies caught making pirated copies will be publicly named.