Lawyer Yao Kefeng Attends Forum on Monopoly and Unfair Competition in Internet Industry
Director Jiang Qi of the Beijing DHH Law Firm was recently engaged as the Chief Legal Adviser by Chinawaimao Net, operated by the Legal Committee of Beijing International Exchange Association and the Beijing Zhongpei Weiye Cultural Exchange Center. In future Director Jiang Qi is to provide legal services for the Net, carry out legal risk precaution training for the Net’s members, and help foreign trade enterprises to carry out compliance planning.
Lawyer Yao Kefeng Attends Forum on Monopoly and Unfair Competition in Internet Industry
On March 8th lawyer Yao Kefeng, the partner of Beijing DHH Law Firm, attended the Forum on Monopoly and Unfair Competition in the Internet Industry sponsored by People Net. The Meeting discussed the oligopoly phenomenon arising with the development from the free competition stage to the monopolitic competition stage. At the Meeting Mr. Yao expressed the opinion that the abuse of the dominant market position by the internet giant engaged in internet searching is suspected of breaking the law.
Mr Yao pointed out that the Antitrust Act of China is able to regulate monopoly of the internet industry. For instance, as a real-time communication software QQ has secured more than 50% of the market for such software. This enabled Tengxun, which owns QQ, to have a dominant market position. During its battle with 3Q, Tengxun required its clients to “select one in two”, which was suspected of breaching the Antitrust Act.
As to Baidu limiting searching of its websites by users of 360 (a software for internet exploration), Mr Yao took the view that Baidu has breached the Antitrust Act because the company has secured its dominant market position by depending on its 70% market share in this industry. Mr Yao also gave his view on the issue of Medusa Plug between Baidu and 360. He expressed the opinion that this also is a breach of the Antitrust Act by Baidu.
Mr Yao appeals to the legislature to promulgate specific rules for the Anti-unfair Competition Act and the Antitrust Act so as to more effectively regulate internet enterprises and traditional enterprises.