Recently, the Ministry of Culture ("MOC") has issued the Decision on Abolishing and Revising Several Departmental Rules (the "Decision"), immediately effective as of the issue date.
According to the Decision, three departmental rules, including the Administrative Measures for Cultural and Scientific and Technological Work, are annulled, and another five departmental rules, such as the Implementing Rules for the Administrative Regulations on Commercial Performances, the Interim Administrative Measures for Internet Games, the Interim Administrative Provisions on Internet Culture (the "Provisions") and the Administrative Measures for Entertainment Venues, are revised. The latest Provisions clearly state that the application for carrying out for-profit Internet-based cultural activities requires the fulfillment of five conditions, including "having a fixed domain name". An administrative authority of culture shall, within 20 days upon the acceptance of an application, make a decision on whether to approve the application or not. If it is approved, a Network Culture Business License will be issued to the applicant and the issuance will be publicly announced; otherwise, a written notice shall be provided to the applicant to specify the reasons. The Network Culture Business License is valid for three years.