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Yahoo Sued in China Over Pirated Music

By BetaNews Staff, BetaNews

March 7, 2007, 10:50 AM

Eleven companies have sued Yahoo's China division for about 5.5 million yuan ($710,690 USD) over accusations of copyright infringement, the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry said Wednesday. The group noted that while it believed China was an important market, it was taking steps to eradicate piracy in the country. Studies show that as much as 85 percent of all music in the country is pirated.

Yahoo! China said in response that it respects copyright and supports the fight against piracy, although it said that precedence had been set that shows Web site owners are not liable for the actions of their users. A previous case against Baidu.com was dismissed for similar reasons.

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By ds0934

posted Mar 7, 2007 - 9:59 PM

"...International Federation of the Phonographic Industry..."

huh?

Score: 0

By imafurby

posted Mar 7, 2007 - 5:30 PM

"Yahoo! China said in response that it respects copyright and supports the fight against piracy"

Now there's a Chinese company walking against the grain. Talk about a fish out of water.

Score: 0

By Silentmaster101

posted Mar 7, 2007 - 3:12 PM

so when has china anything EVER listened to anyone else from the rest of the world? last time i checked, it wasn't illegal so download anytype of software or music in china, as they just don't care. that would seem futile trying to sue a chinese based company (as yahoo-china technically has no legal ties to yahoo in any other country) for doing something not illegal in china.

Score: 0

By ghammer

posted Mar 8, 2007 - 11:59 AM

It's illegal here. Just try peddling a fake 'Fuwa' (Olympic Mascot) and see what happens.

Western music, movies, and software? They use the old "We're a poor country" song and dance for those.

Every once in a while before a US trade official arrives they'll select a shop or two to "put out of business". Yep, smash all the Windows NT 3.5 CDs, OS/2 Warp, and Office 95.

Score: 0

By horsecharles

posted Mar 7, 2007 - 6:28 PM

noteworthy quote: The group noted that while it believed China was an important market, it was taking steps to eradicate piracy in the country.

Score: 0

By Silentmaster101

posted Mar 8, 2007 - 9:35 AM

noting that when walking down sidewalks in china there are people set up on sidewalks selling pirated copies of windows and any other software you might want for $4

Score: 0

By kprovance

posted Mar 7, 2007 - 1:49 PM

Who isn't suing who these days? It's madness I say, total madness.

Score: 0

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