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Questions are starting to be asked by China's army of Internet users and operators on the practicality and purpose of new controls on network -- mostly online -- music.

"Network music" refers to music distributed by wired or wireless means including music played or downloaded from the Internet and provided by mobile phone servers and through cable TV and satellite communication.

The "Guidelines on the Development and Management of Network Music" issued last week by the Ministry of Culture have the stated purpose of preventing problems such as poor quality, pirated uploads and downloads and content that "offends" ethnic groups or "affects social stability."

"Network music based on music products copied or composed by netizens for non-profit purposes must be monitored more closely," said the ministry calling for a "civilized and healthy network culture."

It requires distributors to register all domestic music and songs issued through the network without legal approval from the ministry before March 1, 2007.

Wang Xiaofeng, chief writer of Lifeweek Magazine and a popular blogger, wrote that the standards of Internet users -- and not regulative orders -- were the best to judge the quality of online music.

He claimed that fighting piracy and copyright infringement was the work of the copyright authorities, not cultural bodies and argued that society wasn't so vulnerable that it could be affected by a few songs.

Many people doubt the ministry's ability to vet the huge quantity of music distributed through the Internet and the examination would delay the release of good music.

Wang said, "At least 500 new songs appear every day and it would take a long time for the ministry to examine them. When they are eventually approved the songs would have missed their moment to become popular."

An article carried by the Shanghai Youth Daily said online music was "grassroots" as anyone with talent and skill could distribute their sounds by Internet. But the long delays and possible costs of examination and approval would kill most good work from the outset and hinder the development of network music.

A chief operator of a large Internet portal told People's Daily that it was awaiting further details from the ministry on how to regulate the music productions of ordinary citizens. 

The guidelines also require all imported network music products distributed in China to be approved and registered by the ministry.

"Any person or organization which distributes imported network music without approval will be punished by the cultural authorities and their websites will be dealt with by communication departments in accordance with law," state the guidelines. 

This requirement confused some music websites. They say they already have approval from copyright bodies -- not cultural authorities.

Many Internet users have speculated that the regulations and other government influence over the Internet were aiming for profits.

According to the Cultural Ministry's website, last year, the total value of China's network music market reached 2.78 billion yuan (US$348 million) up 61 percent over the previous year. It's estimated the market has grown 50 percent this year.

However, regardless of motive, the administration of the network needed more advanced methods and ideas and not simply regulations and orders, said some postings.

"Network music is a growing cultural phenomenon that shortens the distance between listeners and singers and supplements the content of commercial music. I hope the guidelines will boost -- and not hinder -- its development," said Hainan University associate professor Wang Lin. 
 
(Xinhua News Agency December 18, 2006)