“Chinese Google” in Court Again on MP3 Download Disputes

“Chinese Google” in court again on MP3 download disputes

BEIJING, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) — Seven music companies and Baidu, China’s largest Internet search engine, agreed to attempt mediation on Monday on the first day of a copyright trial.

Four music giants are suing Baidu, dubbed “the Chinese Google,” for infringing the copyright of 137 songs and are seeking 1.67 million yuan (206,000 US dollars) of compensation, reported the China Daily.

At Monday’s hearing, the plaintiffs claimed Baidu has made it easy for users to download illegal copies of their songs, while Baidu defended itself as a neutral search engine that is simply providing the basic service offered by all engines, saying that it does not upload songs itself, nor does it provide on-line displays or download services to its users.

Furthermore, Baidu insisted it has always advocated improving copyright protection on the Internet and promises to provide relief and protection if a company can prove it owns the right to a song.

The companies Universal, EMI, Warner, Sony BMG and their local subsidiaries, Cinepoly, Go East and Gold Label and Baidu said the judge will resolve the case if no agreement can be reached.

The two parties reached no agreement during a five-and-a-half- hour hearing at Beijing No 1 Intermediate People’s Court. It was the second time NASDAQ-listed Baidu has been in court this month.

On September 16, the People’s Court of Haidian District in Beijing ordered Baidu to pay 68,000 yuan (8,400 US dollars) to mainland music company Shanghai Busheng Music Culture Media for unauthorized downloads of 46 songs. Baidu has appealed.

The two suits against Baidu are the world’s first targeting MP3 downloads from a search engine.