p2p news / p2pnet: Communist Chinese search engine Baidu, in which Google has an interest, has caved in to the Big Four music label cartel.

“MP3 search is the primary boosting factor for Baidu’s high growth,” said Beijing’s China Internet Network Information Center.

This led the labels to attack it for alleged copyright infringement and it was recently found guilty of the charge.

Now, Baidu.com has, “stopped providing free music download links on its Website as a compromise to music publishers,” says the Shanghai Daily.

Instead, “The search result (of songs) has been made automatically and Baidu itself doesn’t make and transfer music,” a message says. “We pay close attention to protecting intellectual property rights. If any authors or copyright owners find the links are pirated songs, please let us know.”

“In August, Shanghai Busheng Music Culture Media Co accused Baidu of allowing unauthorized downloads of 53 songs the company owns the copyright to without permission,” adds the story. “Busheng is asking Baidu for 560,000 yuan (US$69,104) in compensation for damages.”

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See:-
boosting factor - Mp3s keep Baidu on top, August 5, 2005
found guilty - China’s Baidu.com ‘guilty’, September 20, 2005
Shanghai Daily - Baidu removes free music download links, October 25, 2005

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