Around 30 different music companies and platforms in China have launched an Online Music Copyright Association in an attempt to battle piracy.

CRI's Wang Mengzhen has the details.

Over 10 well-known record companies in China and abroad have joined the copyright network, including Sony, Warner and Decca records.

Several online music platforms, including QQ, KuGoo and Koowo are also part of the Association.

Shi Lixue is the CEO of Koowo Music box.

"The self-discipline convention regulates us, the web-managers, on our own. If we find any unauthorized online music or music without proper copyright, we have to take it down. At the same time, members of the copyright association can notify us about any pirated music in our system. This way, we can clear it off our lists after we verify it's not copyrighted."

The group is hoping to create self-discipline within the industry.

The association has already published two documents.

One is called the "Anti-Piracy Declaration" while the other is the "Self-discipline Convention".

Piracy and free downloads remain rampant in the online music industry in China, despite attempts to crack down on copyright infringement.

Chinese composer Li Haiying is one of those battling for more to be done to protect copyrights.

"I have been involved in two lawsuits with big music companies. But I was reluctant to get involved. I don't think any musicians or artists want to become embroiled in lawsuits, because we don't want to be involved in legal battles all the time. "

Meanwhile, Xie Guomin, CEO of the China Music Corporation, says pirated music has negative consequences for the entire music industry.

"The piracy issue has destroyed the whole system of online music, regardless of the music quality, its market or administration. As such, companies cannot earn much, and listeners are getting watered-down products. Another reason is that we do not have well-defined rules to protect the whole industry."

A recent report conducted by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry suggests China's online music market ranks 21rd in the world, with its online music consumers reaching over 400-thousand people.

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