Two foreigners select electronic products at Hilon Electronics Market in Zhongguancun. Wang jing / China Daily

Despite a recent crackdown on discs of pirated software and movies in the capital's technology center, Zhongguancun village, the shelves remain flooded with choice.

Fu Li, the PR manager at Hilon Electronics Market, said regulations on retailers have recently become stricter with new contracts signed between the property owner and retailers.

She said her company conduct an overall inspection once a week to check if retailers are selling pirated discs. They confiscate them for a first offence, and fine 200 yuan on the second time.

"If there is a third occurrence, we kick them out. However, we haven't found any cases in 2010 so far," she said.

Additionally, only two shops are allowed to sell genuine software in the market, Fu said,

METRO confirmed this statement with a visit to the two shops. All goods were genuine.

However, software from vendors in some parts of the building was not so authentic.

"This Windows 7 disc is 20 yuan and we can install it for you. It is exactly the same as authorized editions," said Wang Zheng, a retailer in HiLon Electronics Market.

"I was using Windows 7 even before it was released in China last year. Why should we sell have authentic discs in China? They are so unnecessary," Wang said.

As many as 700 different pirated computer games lined the counter of one store on the market's fourth floor, advertised at 5 yuan each.

But despite the low prices, at least one salesperson warned METRO of possible scams.

"You will never be offered genuine software unless you know someone. Customers are sold fake copies for the same price as real ones," said a retailer at Top Electronics City, surnamed Liu.

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However, demand continues to outrank ethics when it comes to pirated goods.

"Buying pirated movies and games is part of my life, and a fun part," said Li Ting, a government employee.

"I enjoy watching movies and playing computer games, but spending 70 yuan for a movie ticket or 100 yuan on a game is too expensive for me, since I only make 3,000 yuan per month," he said.