The Measures for Administration of Internet Information Services were adopted by the State Council on September 20, 2000. They were promulgated, and came into force, on September 25, 2000. The Measures state that anyone who engages in Internet information service activities inside China must comply with the Measures . Internet information services are defined in the Measures to be the activity of providing information services to online users through the Internet. Internet information services are classified as services having a business nature and those not having a business nature.
China implements a licensing system for Internet information services having a business nature.
It implements a recordal system for Internet information services not having a business nature. If a provider of Internet information services having a business nature applies to enter into an equity joint venture or cooperative joint venture with a foreign investor, it must first go through examination and approval by the State Council department in charge of the information industry. The proportion of foreign investment must conform to the requirements in the relevant laws and regulations. The Measures also set forth a list of the types of content that Internet information services are prohibited from producing, copying, disseminating or transmitting. Municipal Higher People s Court Concerning the Trial of Cases of Civil Disputes over Intellectual Property Rights Arising from the Registration or Use of Domain Names have recently become available.