More EMI, this time recordings. EMI Music has denied that it has signed up to a new streaming music preview service operated by Chinese search engine Baidu, which will offer previews of new music by local artists ahead of release.
Baidu announced that EMI was a partner on the new 'New Song Debut' service, but the major has said it is not on board. The confusion probably comes about because of EMI's relationship with Hong Kong-based Typhoon, which does work with the search engine company. EMI used to have a stake in Typhoon, and they also distribute some of EMI's Chinese catalogue in the region.
Typhoon has worked with Baidu on streaming services since the start of last year, when EMI was still a part owner of the Hong Kong company, and its relationship with the search engine saw EMI step back from legal action being pursued by the other major record companies against the Chinese search outfit.
However, EMI says that, while Typhoon does continue to licence a "limited quantity of local EMI Cantonese recordings" to Baidu for streaming, the major itself is not participating in the new preview service. And given that EMI is no longer involved in signing any new local talent in the Chinese region, and that the new Baidu service previews new domestic artists, it does seem unlikely EMI would be involved.
As much previously reported, the other majors are suing Baidu over allegations its MP3 search facility infringes their copyrights by providing Chinese web users with easy access to illegal sources of music. Although initially unsuccessful in the case, a change in China's copyright rules means the International Federation Of The Phonographic Industry is having a second go.
Meanwhile, IT website The Register has reported that there are servers full of unlicensed music that is only available via Baidu's MP3 search engine, servers that conveniently change their IP addresses whenever a copyright action is taken to try and stop illegal distribution. All in all, Baidu aren't very popular among the international record companies, which is presumably why EMI are keen to not be to closely linked to them.