Controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
Back to profile1 entries
2021
Tencent's Acquisition of China Music Corporation Found Illegal Concentration; Ordered to End Exclusive Copyrights
Kugou Music's China Music Corporation was acquired by Tencent in 2016 and integrated into Tencent Music Entertainment Group. On July 24, 2021, the State Administration for Market Regulation determined that Tencent illegally implemented a concentration of undertakings; after the transaction its exclusive music library resources exceeded 80%, possibly having effects of excluding or restricting competition. It ordered Tencent and affiliated companies to end exclusive online music copyrights within 30 days, stop practices such as high advance payments, and fined RMB 500,000. Tencent stated on August 31, 2021 that it would give up exclusive music copyrights; Kugou and other platforms' exclusive music library advantages disappeared.