At the 18th Beijing International Book Fair, the Foreign Language Teaching & Research Press launched new digital products [see post "Roads of China’s digital publishing export"] : a digital reading pen for foreign languages “Wai Yantong” [probably Viaton], Internet teaching materials and a collaborative translation platform. The digital reading pen will be promoted in primary [...]
Archive for the ‘online media’ category
Foreign Language Teaching & Research Press: on digital road to educational service provider (China)
08/09/2011Mobile reading revenue growth in China slowing down
30/08/2011In the second quarter of 2011, mobile reading revenue growth slowed down to 3.43% q-o-q for a turnover of 1.12 billion RMB, according to data provided by Analysis International. One reason are unsubscriptions of mobile newspapers and their unauthorized offers in Apple and Android app stores. Mobile newspapers showed negative growth and only contributed 628 [...]
Hot issues in China on copyright on the Internet
29/08/2011The 2011 Media Seminar on Hot Copyright Issues was held in Beijing on August 19-20, hosted by the National Copyright Administration. Some of the hot topics discussed are listed below. [Note: I'm no legal expert, so as always: use at your own risk.] Can network media reproduce the reports of paper media arbitrarily? Network media [...]
Nation-wide “civilized websites” campaign begun in China
18/08/2011The official website www.wenmingwangzhan.cn for the nation-wide campaign to establish “civilized websites” went online on August 16. Columns include topics such as microblogging and “uncivilized websites exposure”. The campaign’s goal is to promote the establishment of spiritual civilization on the Internet and to create a civilized & harmonious network environment. Source: Official website for nation-wide [...]
Mobile bookstore launched by Zhejiang Xinhua and China Mobile
15/08/2011On August 8th, the revised Bookuu Web and Mobile Book Store were launched under a cooperation between Zhejiang Xinhua Book Store Group and China Mobile Zhejiang Branch. On the Mobile Bookstore, Zhejiang Xinhua will offer bibliographic information, China Mobile Zhejiang Branch will offer information query and ordering services and Bookuu Web will distribute the books [...]
Educational publishing in China: Will e-schoolbag replace 36 billion textbooks?
15/08/2011In the 12th Five-year plan for China’s press and publishing industry, the “e-schoolbag” is described as a combination of mobile terminals, e-education service platforms and systems for resource processing and publishing of digital education content in a network environment. In the past several years, reading habits in China changed drastically. According to the 8th National [...]
Baidu + Fanshu.com: new digital book market monopoly on the horizon in China?
11/08/2011Two recent events caused a wake-up call for online booksellers in China, who had felt save from the uncertain future of physical bookstores: Online bookstore Jingdong Mall supposedly paid around 10 million RMB for exclusive debut rights to Annie Baobei‘s new novel. [As mentioned on her blog, "Spring Feast" -my translation of 春宴- was available [...]
Three models for digital publishing transformation in China
09/08/2011Traditional publishing units in China are currently carrying out digital transformation using three different approaches: 1. Establishing digital publishing platforms With Dajia Net of China Publishing Group Digital Media Corp. as an example, establishing a digital publishing platform has become the inevitable choice for most digital media companies. Targeting all kinds of customer groups, such [...]
Online bookstores in China: An effective supplement to traditional sales of publishing houses?
03/08/2011More and more publishing houses in China have opened online bookstores, with two major models apparent: Big Mart Model As an example, China Machine Press established its online bookstore “Golden Book Net” five years ago. Like a mart, the online bookstore has all kinds of books, however, it can’t provide discounts as low as offered [...]
GAPP to support physical bookstores in China
02/08/2011Recently, GAPP provided answers on the hot topic of how to support the development of physical bookstores. Will all physical bookstores that experience difficulty with management receive support? Liu Binjie, Director of GAPP, said that GAPP will take the following policy measures to support special and academic bookstores. Implement the “Notice on Strengthening the Rural [...]
Key tasks of China’s digital publishing industry
01/08/2011In April, GAPP launched the Press and Publishing Industry Development Plan for the 12th-Five Year Plan mentioning seven key tasks which are to be finished in this time period, including “meeting the needs of digitization, informatization and network trends to promote the reform and upgrade of the press and publishing industry”. Since digitalization is the [...]
China already global new media superpower, says “China New Media Development Report (2011)”
18/07/2011The “China New Media Development Report (2011)” was released on July 12th as the first blue book on new media. With 450 million Internet users and 900 million mobile phone users, China has already become the country with the largest number of new media users in the world. The report pays great attention to hot [...]
First ranking of China’s almost 5,000 government microblogs published
14/07/2011The 2011 China Microblog Report issued by the Public Opinion Office of Shanghai Jiaotong University’s Public Relations Research Center includes the first ranking of governmental microblogs. As of July 6th, there were 4,920 microblog accounts of governmental institutions on Sina Weibo, with Baise City’s Anti-Drug Office in Guangxi taking top-spot, as well as 3,949 accounts [...]
Liu Binjie(GAPP): Digital publishing integration and business models remain problems (China)
13/07/2011Liu Binjie, Director of GAPP, attended the 4th China Digital Publishing Fair on July 8, focusing on digital publishing issues, such us the integration of satellite digital communication platforms and rural book houses, the current situation of digital content distribution platforms, the development of mobile reading and the digital transformation of traditional publishing institutions. Liu [...]
Digital Publishing in China in the next five years: 6 focal areas of development
12/07/2011At the opening of the Fourth Chinese Digital Publishing Exposition on July 6th at the Beijing International Conference Center, General Adminstration of Press and Publication Vice Director Sun Shoushan gave a speech on “Being Confident and Creative to Accelerate Sustainable Development of Digital Publishing”. Sun stated that in order to raise the share of digital [...]
600,000 new media talents needed to fill gap (China)
08/07/2011According to a forecast by experts, 600,000-800,000 talents will be needed in China’s new media industry within the next 3-5 years. Apart from the rapid increase in the need for mobile-media talents, persons engaged in technology development and marketing are also badly needed. There are a number of reasons for the shortage: In addition to [...]
GAPP establishes strategic cooperation with China Mobile for digital publishing
07/07/2011On July 5th, GAPP and China Mobile signed a “Memorandum of Cooperation on Strategic Development in Digital Publishing”. According to the document, GAPP will cooperate with China Mobile in offering internet technology services and operation control of digital products to publishing houses. A cooperation in digital copyright is also intended in order to launch digital [...]
Wake-up call for traditional publishers: Appeal in China’s first digital copyright case turned down – industry voices
06/07/2011On July 4th, China’s so-called “first digital copyright case” [see post "First digital copyright case decided in China"] came to an end with the court dismissing Zhonghua Book Company’s appeal. Voices of publishing insiders on this case: Bi Yu of Light Industry (Beijing) Web Press Ltd.: Publishing houses should increase competitiveness in digital copyright and [...]
China’s Times Publishing Group enters digital publishing business with “Times E-Blog”
01/07/2011Times E-Blog, an omni-media digital publishing platform of Times Publishing Group developed by its subsidiary Anhui Higher Education Press, was officially launched on June 28th, meaning its digital publishing business is entering the operational phase. The platform belongs to a list of key reform and development projects during the 12th Five-year plan. Its operation model [...]
Digital (dictionary) publishing cooperation models in China
30/06/2011In order to realize the upgrade and transformation of dictionary publishing, traditional publishers need to cooperate with technology operators. These cooperation models can be classified into five categories listed below. [Note: Although the article also mentions pros and cons of each model, I initially had hoped for more China-related aspects which it doesn't deliver.] Self-reliant [...]
First digital copyright case decided in China
28/06/2011In October, 2009, Zhonghua Book Company accused Hanvon Technology of infringing its copyright. Last week, the verdict on China’s “first digital copyright case” came down: Zhonghua Book Company lost the lawsuit. The case reflects the disorder in the digital copyright trading market, therefore, establishing a fair digital copyright sharing platform becomes very necessary and urgent. [...]
Shanda Literature’s six acquisitions in 2010 (China)
27/06/2011This article provides tables on the five online literature websites and one offline book distribution company Shengda Literature acquired last year for 140 million RMB, as well as data such as investment and revenue as submitted in the SEC prospectus: Rongshuxia (榕树下) — http://www.rongshuxia.com/ Beijing Zhongzhibowen Book Distribution Company (中智博文) — http://www.zzbwbook.com/ Tianfang Audiobook Net [...]
Xinhua News Agency releases “China Net Matter” app
23/06/2011“China Net Matter”, a news information app integrating text, photography, video and microblog, was officially launched by Xinhua News Agency recently. As an innovative measure to promote transformation from the traditional news-oriented format to modern multimedia news, the app will focus on Xinhua News Agency’s multimedia news column “China Net Matter” (launched in 2010) on [...]
Times Publishing Media Company cooperates with China National Museum
07/06/2011On May 31st, Times Publishing Media Company and China National Museum signed a strategic cooperation agreement on building an omni-media cultural industry chain. According to the agreement, Times Publishing will develop a variety of publications on the Museum’s collections and exhibitions, including print, digital and online publications, electronic audio & video as well as other [...]
The necessity of collective copyright management in China
07/06/2011[Note: The article treats the music industry, but the situation concerning collective copyright management is similar in publishing, see previous posts "Digital copyright chaos in China – collective management around the corner?" and "Collective management: a useful way to solve digital copyright problems".] In the spring of 2011, there were several hot cases on copyright [...]
Why 99% of online literature in China is rubbish
27/05/2011China’s famous writer Mai Jia said, “If I had the power, I would destroy the Internet. I think that 99.99% of current online literature is rubbish.” The comment is based on his dissatisfaction with the disarray of online literature, which currently lacks a healthy growth mechanism. He added that without a reasonable evaluation mechanism, commercial [...]
China Encyclopedia digital database completed
25/05/2011On the basis of its first and second editions, the database for China Encyclopedia was completed by China Encyclopedia Press. This is the only updatable encyclopedia database in China, its online edition includes 200,000 entries and 100,000 images covering one million items on 80 subjects. Source: China Encyclopedia database completed (in Chinese)
iPad in China shocks hardware makers but promotes digital content
24/05/2011Since May 6th, Apple’s iPad 2 is being sold China, resulting in a rapid drop in sales for many Chinese e-readers. As an example, hardware make Hanvon suffered a loss of more than 46 million RMB in the first quarter. [Also see previous posts: "Hanvon Technology: a closer look at its challenges."] On the other [...]
Three statements on Internet copyright protection of digital publishing in China
18/05/2011Internet copyright piracy has a big impact on the development of digital publishing. Measures to stop online copyright infringement and piracy were a hot topic at the 7th China International Cultural Industry Fair. The managers of online platforms should set a good example of copyright protection A series of digital copyright infringement cases threatens the [...]
Talent drifting back to traditional media in China
18/05/2011Around 2006, many talents in traditional media joined emerging media because of Web2.0′s flourishing. With the on-going media restructuring and integration, more and more talents are gradually flowing back to traditional media. A management and business talents shortage is acutely felt in periodical new media, especially talents combining both print media and Internet experience. Most [...]
Baidu beaten in landmark copyright case, must compensate Shanda Literature
12/05/2011The article in Global Times reports: “A Shanghai district court has ordered search engine giant Baidu to pay half a million yuan ($75,700) in compensation to Shanda Literature, an original content provider website, in a major copyright lawsuit case.” The reason stated is that Baidu ” did not remove unauthorized literary works from its website [...]
Online magazines: China’s Internet giants set up digital journal platforms
11/05/2011Taohua Net launched its digital magazines officially in April, furthermore, Baidu Library, Sohu News Express and Xunlei also entered the digital journal market. Mobile Internet Strategy The goal of Taohua Net is to create China’s leading anti-piracy digital exchange platform. Digital content is an important part of its mobile Internet strategy, so Taohua and Taobao [...]
China’s news websites: transformation to enterprises for second batch scheduled
11/05/2011Under the background of the on-going cultural system reform, ten central and local news websites such as People’s Net, Xinhua Net and Oriental Net had finished the transformation to enterprises by the end of 2010. [For a complete list, see previous post "Chinese government approved IPO of Xinhua.net, one of 10 official news websites scheduled [...]
Different reactions to price increases in China’s book industry
11/05/2011Faced with increasing prices for paper and oil, some book publishers feel huge pressure while others keep calm. Diversifying and cutting costs Some publishing houses, like China Architecture & Building Press, People Transportation Press and Hebei Publishing Media Group, all expressed that the increasing cost for printing materials and logistics will lead to an increase [...]
Wikipedia’s Signport: no point to sue Baidu
10/05/2011As mentioned in a previous post, Baidu’s encyclopedia was accused of copyright infringement in China by unofficial members of Chinese Wikipedia since the company was not observing the license terms. An article in yesterday’s Wikipedia Signpost cites Wikimedia Chair Ting Chen’s comment “on the futility of legal action: “Fact is that Baidu doesn’t care. We [...]
Next step in restructuring: non-current affairs publications – China Press and Publishing Media Group established
10/05/2011With a ceremony in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China Press and Publishing Media Group was founded on 8th May as one of the first non-current affairs newspaper units to be restructured according to policies for the 12th five-year period. China Press and Publishing Media Group consists of one newspaper, two magazines, [...]
Taobao Bookstore client launched in China – digital copyright competition?
06/05/2011Shortly after Shanda Literature released its Cloud Bookstore 2.0, Taobao Bookstore has also launched its client. Baidu Library is trying to eliminate the negative influence of its copyright infringement crisis. Apparently, a new round of competition in the digital copyright market is on the verge of breaking out. Source: Taobao Bookstore client launched (in Chinese) [...]
China Daily’s iPhone app: a brief test
05/05/2011Of course I downloaded China Daily’s updated iPhone News App (available in the App Store) but denied access to my location, causing a string of error messages – avoidable. Little red “new” buttons lead to a brief intro of a particular new function and disappear afterwards, a useful idea especially for updates. The user can [...]
China Daily’s updated iPhone News App
05/05/2011China Daily’s upgraded iPhone News App went online May 2, providing additional services to readers. [Note: Take a look at my post China Daily's iPhone app: a brief test.] Improved audio-video experience and rich information The new version supports multi-media, offering readers a new audio-video experience. Personal customized services Personalized information news options and location-based [...]
After literature and MP3: Baidu’s encyclopedia accused of copyright infringement in China
04/05/2011Baidu’s open online encyclopedia Baidu baike (“Baidupedia”) was accused of copyright infringement by unofficial members of Chinese Wikipedia recently. The infringement involves quoting and modifying Wikipedia’s content without specifying author or source, sharing not in accordance with Wikipedia’s CC-by-sa-3.0 license, and without permission from Wikipedia. The copyright infringement has not been confirmed by Wikipedia Foundation, but [...]
China National Reading Survey released; 23% had read on mobile phone
27/04/2011The result of the 8th China National Reading Survey was released by the Chinese Academy of Press and Publication on April 21st. The result show that: In 2010, the Comprehensive Reading Rate (including books, newspapers, periodicals and digital publications) of Chinese citizens 18-70 years old reached 77.1%, +5.1% y-o-y. Book Reading Rate reached 52.3%, +2.2% [...]
China’s e-reader market: already in crisis?
23/04/2011Probably not only investors were surprised, when Hanwang Technology posted a loss for this year’s first quarter, as reported in Caixin‘s article “Closer Look: Crisis Looms for E-Book Reader Market“. Declining sales volume and prices for its e-readers are mentioned as main cause – but if that is the case, then investors shouldn’t be “stunned”, [...]
