New controls on internet distribution

From July 1,
distributors of internet games and films will require a special licence, South China Morning
Post said. The rules cover artwork and music and apply to both for-profit and non-profit
distribution, inducing redistribution. Violators may be fined Ynl,000 to Yn5,000 and be
forced to sus-pend business.
The measure has been introduced by the Ministry of
Culture in an effort to control violent, sexually explicit or anti-government content. It follows
last year's State Council order that government ministries in charge of the internet do more
to guard against banned content. However, industry insiders told the newspaper that the
rules would have only a limited effect since many distributors are based overseas and the
only sanction against them is blocking their website.