Google is planning to enter into an agreement with a web music firm to offer free downloads in China, according to reports.Sources close to the matter told the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) that the search engine giant is looking to provide tracks from three major record labels - Universal, EMI and Sony BMG Music Entertainment - in addition to many more smaller firms.
It is believed that the deal, which could see a service launched in a matter of weeks, could be an attempt by Google to fight back against the increasing dominance of Baidu.com in the Chinese search market.
According to the WSJ, Baidu.com's success in the country is partly down to its provision of search facilities for free - but unlicensed - music downloads, which accounts for some seven per cent of its internet traffic.
However, it is these unauthorised mp3s that have drawn the ire of record labels, with Universal, Sony BMG and Warner Music this week filing court orders against the Chinese search engine for violating their copyright by offering access to music downloads without their permission.
"In principle, search engines provide search for people to access music more efficiently. In a broader way, that's a good thing," Catherine Leung, general manager of Universal Music China, told the WSJ.
"It's the links and encouraging people to download illegal content that's a bad thing."
Commenting on the music labels' decision to take action against Baidu.com, John Kennedy of the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry said that Chinese web firms "have a unique opportunity to ... engage in responsible partnership with music companies".
