China brought its growing online music industry under closer strutiny, announcing new regulations calling for tighter control of original, not-for-profit creative works as well as foreign-produced music distributed within China [Coverage at Sina.com].
The announcement of the regulations said written requests must be submitted to the Ministry of Culture for all “imported” music products to be broadcast on the Internet by “Web-based cultural businesses”. Proof of copyright, copies of relevant online licensing agreements and “other documents”, as well as a copy of the music on disk, would be necessary for the approvals process.

get_img36.jpg

Those “making bold” distribute foreign music in China via the Internet and without prior approval from the Ministry of Culture would be punished, said the announcement. [ABOVE: News of the new online music regulations top the headlines at Sina.com this morning.]
Without offering specifics, the announcement also said Web portals and other companies offering online music would be required to “strengthen examination” of not-for-profit music posted by Web users, citing the need for a more “civilized” online culture.
The regulations also ban foreign investment in Internet entertainment companies.
[“China tightens control on ‘network music‘”, People’s Daily Online]
[Posted by David Bandurski, December 12, 2006, 6:37pm]


David Bandurski

CMP Director

Latest Articles