China’s market regulator on Saturday said it would bar Tencent Holdings Ltd from exclusive music copyright agreements and fined the company for unfair market practices in the online music market after its acquisition of China Music Corporation.
The Chinese government has been stepping up antitrust actions in recent months against the country’s large tech companies, including a record $2.75 billion fine on e-commerce giant Alibaba for engaging in anti-competitive behavior, Reuters reported from Shanghai.
Tencent and Tencent Music Entertainment Group, the unit created from the acquisition, said they would abide by the decision and comply with all regulatory requirements.
The State Administration Of Market Regulation (SAMR) said it had investigated Tencent’s activities in the online music broadcasting platform market in China, in which music copyright is the core asset, in a notice posted on its official website.
Reuters reported in mid-July that the antitrust regulator would order Tencent’s music streaming arm to give up exclusive rights to music labels that it has used to compete with smaller rivals, citing people with knowledge of the matter.
Tencent held more than 80 percent of exclusive music library resources after its acquisitions, the regulator said, increasing its leverage over upstream copyright parties and allowing it to restrict new entrants, the regulator said.
SAMR said Tencent and its affiliated companies must not engage in exclusive copyright agreements with upstream owners of such rights, while existing agreements must be terminated within 30 days of the regulatory notice.
The regulator also ordered Tencent to pay a fine of 500,000 yuan ($77,150).
Sudhir Chaudhary wins two big Honours at XIIᵗʰ BCS Ratna Award 2026
12th BCS Ratna Award: JioStar’s Aravamudhan is Lifetime Achievement honouree
XIIth BCS Ratna Award : JioStar CEO Entertainment Kevin Vaz honoured
XIIth BCS Ratna Award 2026: Media achievers honoured
12th BCS Ratna Award a roaring success; honours excellence in M&E
Twelfth BCS Ratna Award boasts stellar lineup; to be held on Aug 5
TDSAT directs cable operator to pay Rs 2.64 lakh to Hathway
Prime Video sets Sept 25 premiere for ‘Don’t Be Shy’
News18 Bangla highlights rural health Issues
BULLET Microdrama, JK Super Cement launch ‘Tera Ghar Mera Ghar’
JALLOSH now available as add-on channel on Prime Video 


