After iPad, China now targets App Store

BEIJING, CHINA: Chinese writers are targeting Apple's App Store, saying it is infringing on their copyrights by offering pirated e-book versions of their work.

A senior official of the China Written Works Copyright Society said the organization "will do all it can" to support 22 writers' lawsuits accusing Apple of copyright infringement, China Daily reported Tuesday.

It also demanded 23 million yuan ($3.6 million) in compensation.

"We have a strong team searching Apple applications that contain unauthorized book copies so we can get a general picture of the scale of the infringement," said Zhang Hongbo of the organization.

Zhang said his group of more than 500 writers will collect evidence of Apple's infringement on its members' copyrights.

Apple's App Store provides paid and free software, including text and audio books, uploaded by third-party developers.