HP (HPQ), Shenzhou, Tsinghua Tongfang and Acer have been identified as computer manufacturers in China who have illegally placed pirated copies of operating systems on their products.

The Beijing Municipal Department of Industry and Commerce, the Beijing Copyright Bureau and Beijing's Municipal Public Security Bureau have jointly identified 12 types of computer products of the four PC makers that have been installed with pirated systems.

So far, Tsinghua Tongfang and Acer stores have admitted to the fact and each paid the relatively small CNY900 fine. There is no word yet on how HP and Shenzhou plan to react to the investigation.