Getting ahead of piracy

BEIJING China has the world's worst reputation for pirating products

BEIJINGChina has the world's worst reputation for pirating products

CHINA IS THE WORLD'S second-largest internet market after the US, with more than 140 million web users. It's also has the world's worst reputation for pirating products but it may be about to change. Chinese web search leader Baidu.com Inc has set up a partnership with popular independent Chinese-language record label Rock Music Group to provide an online music streaming service.

The licensing deal comes after Baidu was cleared late last year of helping users to download music illegally in a case brought by some of the world's largest music companies.

China's second biggest wireless carrier, China Unicom, has started testing a service that will allow subscribers to download songs onto their mobile phones.

The new service will allow subscribers to download songs to mobile phones for 3-5 Chinese yuan (€0.29-€0.49) each. Record companies offering songs on the download service include EMI, Sony BMG, Warner Music and Universal.

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Clifford Coonan

Clifford Coonan

Clifford Coonan, an Irish Times contributor, spent 15 years reporting from Beijing