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).
Meta’s Muse AI not amusing experts; data privacy concerns raised
Govt. body to examine ‘Satluj’ issue for future course of action
Govt says security concerns led to directions to Z5 on ‘Sutluj
DPOs seek to pare payout to b’casters amid revenue challenges
Indian Govt. to summon Meta over Insta CSAM ads allegations
‘Bhai Tera Star Hai’ trailer packs comedy & chaos
Esports World Cup 2026 begins in Paris
Kay Kay Menon’s ‘Adarsh Baal Vidyalaya’ premieres July 24
Mathrubhumi launches two Onam campaigns
ET NOW extends ‘Closing Trades’ till 4 pm 


