Andre Yoskowitz
8 Aug 2010 15:53
Over the past few months, the Chinese Ministry of Culture has identified 185 sites that infringe on copyrights, adding that the sites violate regulations and do not have licenses to distribute music.
Since April, 23 of those sites have shut down, and the Ministry is still actively investigating the others.
The IFPI (International Federation of the Phonographic Industry) has applauded the recent actions:
"It is good news that the authorities are taking action against some infringing websites, but there are many more illegal music services that continue to operate with impunity," says Leong Mayseey, IFPI regional director for Asia, (via Billboard).
"Only 23 of the original 185 websites identified by the Ministry of Culture have been taken down and it is not clear what penalties, if any, their operators face. If China wants its creative sector to punch its weight globally, it must do more to create a widespread climate of respect for intellectual property."
Continuing, the director says: "We hope to see the authorities following this welcome development with further action against services that illegally build their businesses by abusing other people's rights."