Internet giant Google is expected to announce a deal with Chinese music download website Top100.cn, according to reports. Such a deal would see the search engine provider enter the Chinese online music market for the first time.
Under the terms of an agreement, Google would allow users to listen to and download licensed music files for free. Meanwhile, revenue would be generated through online advertisements on the music search pages.
Owned by Orca Digital, Top100.cn is a recent entrant to the Chinese online music market and, according to company figures, stores over one million music tracks.
It has entered into licensing agreements with a number of major music labels, including EMI, China Record and Sony BMG.
Speaking to Search Newz, music consultant and writer Ed Peto said: "If Google's free music service in China eventually matches Baidu for clarity of results and efficiency of process then this will be a game-changer, not just in China, but globally."
On a more cautionary note, however, he added that Top100.cn is "far from being a proven operator in China".
According to statistics produced by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, over 99 per cent of music files distributed in China are pirated, Reuters reports.
Indeed, the news agency goes on to state that, last week, Sony BMG Music Entertainment (Hong Kong), Universal Music and Warner Music Hong Kong launched legal proceedings against Chinese search engine Baidu, alleging that it violated copyright over music downloads.
