Round Table China China's decade of strict music-streaming rules
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Jul 14, 2025 Discover how China's music streaming scene has evolved from rampant piracy to a regulated, lucrative market. The discussion highlights major players like Tencent and the shift toward paid subscriptions. It delves into the struggles artists face with compensation and legal complexities. Additionally, the emotional challenges young artists encounter while navigating this tough landscape are explored, contrasting their experiences with those of established stars.
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China's 2015 Anti-Piracy Shift
- China took a major step in 2015 by removing over 2 million unlicensed songs to fight piracy.
- This marked a significant shift from rampant piracy to strict copyright enforcement.
Napster's Lesson in Piracy
- Steve Hatherly compared China's piracy era to Napster's rise and fall in the West.
- Napster made millions of songs free but was shut down after lawsuits from artists.
Market Consolidation Post-Crackdown
- After 2015, many smaller Chinese music platforms shut down due to rising licensing costs.
- The market consolidated to a few giants like Tencent QQ Music and NetEase Cloud Music.