A battle in a Chinese court between the Chinese titans of Internet portals recently ended in favour of SINA.COM. The Beijing No. 2 Intermediate Court found SOHU.COM liable for infringement of its competitor's copyright by copying text and graphics downloadable from SINA.COM's website for use in mobile phones on a fee-based basis. This is the first ruling by a Chinese court applying Chinese copyright law to online materials.
The Court ordered SOHU to cease its infringing activities by removing the infringing materials from its website, making a public apology, and paying compensatory damages of about U.S. $18,000. The Court also awarded legal costs of over U.S. $8000.
SOHU is appealing the decision and counterclaiming in another pending court case that SINA plagiarized 75 of its images.
Both companies are listed on the NASDAQ stock exchange and are engaged in the wireless messaging business in China.
For additional information, visit:
http://sg.biz.yahoo.com/021203/16/35c9i.html
http://sg.biz.yahoo.com/021203/1/35cgw.html
E-TIPS® ISSUE
02 12 05
Disclaimer: This Newsletter is intended to provide readers with general information on legal developments in the areas of e-commerce, information technology and intellectual property. It is not intended to be a complete statement of the law, nor is it intended to provide legal advice. No person should act or rely upon the information contained in this newsletter without seeking legal advice.
E-TIPS is a registered trade-mark of Deeth Williams Wall LLP.
