International Trade Lawmaking @ Beijing Normal University

Skype has got more than 29 million Chinese registrants, most of whom can only use the computer-to-computer service (Skype in model). The popular Skype-out service was not offered in the Chinese market due to the strict telecom regulation. Recently, Skype, though its local partner Tom.com, began quietly offering Internet Telephony services to those registrants who may pay by international credit cards. It seems that Skype attempts to test the water by partially opening its VoIP service in China.

http://tech.sina.com.cn/i/2006-11-30/15071265004.shtml

It’s been quite a few years that the government attempts to adopt a real-name system on the Internet, which will require any Internet user to provide his/her personal ID and real name for the registration with a blog, BBS, chatroom or any other online forum. Despite the users’ concern for privacy, the government seems determined to push forward. The lattest solution would maintain the real-name requirment for registration but allow pseudonyms to be shown online.

http://news.sina.com.cn/c/2006-11-28/181511645134.shtml

A network company in Nanjing was ordered to apologize to and compensate the Plaintiff who was insulted by an article published on a blog hosted on that company’s website. The court ruled that the defendant failed to observe the duty of care as a honest manager of its blogging system.

http://tech.sina.com.cn/i/2006-11-26/10311256689.shtml

Beijing Copyright Administration states that Karaoke royalty fees won’t be charged within 2006. The statement further complicates the fights between the collecting society and the karaoke businesses. The collecting society, though has the clear support from the NVAC, is still a non-governmental organization. This statement makes people doubt whether the government is directly dictating the collecting society on this issue.

http://news.sina.com.cn/c/2006-11-24/144910588814s.shtml

The collective society started charging royalties to the Karaoke halls from January 1, 2007, which has made the karaoke fees increase 30%.

http://www.cnradio.com.cn/news/200701/t20070102_504366728.html

Anti-Hooligan Software Alliance opposes the definition given by the ISC and claims it as a product of commercial conspiracy. The Alliance just won a case against a small software provider.

http://tech.sina.com.cn/i/2006-11-24/09061254513.shtml

New development in:
http://tech.sina.com.cn/i/2007-01-16/15081338071.shtml

http://tech.sina.com.cn/i/2007-04-05/17381451224.shtml

CNNIC, angry at being listed as one of hooligan software providers, joined the fight with Qihu, who was alleged as the black hand behind the scene.
http://tech.sina.com.cn/i/2007-01-16/10181337440.shtml