166 software companies in Chengdu have signed a corporate responsibility agreement, following the promulgation of the Chengdu Software Industry Professional Rule.

Deng Chengfei, deputy secretary of the Chengdu Software Industry Association, says that the purpose of the Rule is to regulate the management of software professionals and to foster self-discipline among the companies.

Deng says that the signatories all pledge to uphold China's laws dealing with intellectual property rights and corporate social responsibility.

Among other things, the Rule states that those who are involved in dishonest undertakings, such as publicly disclosing their work details and their clients' data, shall be punished by law.