WTO rules in favor of US on foreign media

The World Trade Organization ruled Wednesday that China was in violation of international trade regulations by limiting the import of American books, movies and music, the Wall Street Journal reported. The ruling targets Chinese regulations that require foreign media to be distributed through a handful of state-owned companies. Both the US and China are allowed to appeal the ruling. American media companies have expressed hope that lifting restrictions on the sale and distribution of their products would not only grant them access to a growing Chinese market, but also potentially undermine the existing market for pirated US goods. In 2001, China agreed to allow relatively open access to foreign art when it joined the WTO.