September 13, the Shanghai No. 2 Intermediate People’s Court ruled that internet portal Sohu.com should pay writer Mr Fu Zhanbei 100,000 yuan (US $ 13,000) and a public apology, for infringing upon Mr Fu’s copyright by selling his poetic work without permission via SMS texts. According to NewsMax, this is the first time an infringer, that has violated copyright via SMS texts, has been ordered to compensate the copyright owner in China.
NewsMax wrote:
“Fu said he sued the Web site after discovering in June that 190 love notes he wrote were for sale on Sohu.com for about 2 1/2 cents each, although a distribution agreement between him and the company had expired in March 2006.“
Mr Fu, however, was disappointed with the damages Sohu.com was ordered to pay:
“One hundred thousand yuan will not deter Sohu from conducting more violations in the future,” Fu said. “It’s even not a warning.“
Read NewsMax’ article here.
