THIS year's anti-piracy public education efforts will focus on raising awareness of the perils of online piracy.

Students and professionals will be among the key groups targeted in the campaign.

The campaign, which is expected to roll out in April, will also see the celebration of World IP (Intellectual Property) Day, said Ms Liew Woon Yin, director-general of the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (Ipos).

The authorities here want to promote a 'piracy-free' lifestyle and are working on a wide range of outreach and contact programmes. 'A strong intellectual property regime needs the support of an IP-savvy culture,' said Ms Liew.

One initiative by Ipos is the formation of the Honour Intellectual Property (HIP) Alliance comprising government agencies, IP industry associations and private enterprises.

She said: 'Calling for people to 'Live for Real', HIP hopes to bring about a generation of firm believers who will respect IP and live a piracy-free lifestyle.'

She added that the IP crusade has already signed on more than 7,000 members who pledged a piracy-free lifestyle.