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SOHU » Topics » If we are found to be in violation of current or future PRC laws, rules or regulations regarding Internet-related services and telecom-related activities, we could be subject to severe penalties.This excerpt taken from the SOHU 10-K filed Feb 26, 2009. If we are found to be in violation of current or future PRC laws, rules or regulations regarding Internet-related services and telecom-related activities, we could be subject to severe penalties. The PRC has enacted regulations that apply to Internet-related services and telecom-related activities. While many aspects of these regulations remain unclear, they purport to limit and require licensing of various aspects of the provision of Internet information and content, online advertising, online game and value-added telecommunication services. In addition, the PRC government may promulgate new laws, rules or regulations at any time. If these current or future laws, rules or regulations regarding Internet-related activities, are interpreted to be inconsistent with our ownership structure and/or our business operations, our business will be severely impaired and we could be subject to severe penalties. Any such disruption in our business operations would materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. For example, as the online game industry is at an early stage of development in China, the PRC government might release new laws, new regulations and policies from time to time to implement restrictions and further regulation on the online game industry. For example, online game companies are required to install an anti-fatigue system, which discourages game participants from playing games for more than five hours per day. In addition, the PRC government has implemented a compulsory requirement that online game players register their real names and provide ID numbers when playing games. With this requirement as to real-name registration for online game players, the government implemented a rating system for online games. For those online games rated as not suitable for children under the age of 18, children under the age of 18 will be unable to access such game if a real name registration is in place. As a result, our revenues from online games may be adversely affected. In addition, we may be required to apply for a new license or new qualification or transfer from an old type of license to a new type of license at any time as a result of the requirements of newly promulgated laws or new regulations. There often is a lengthy period between the enactment of such new requirements and the final issuance of any required license or qualification. Although effectiveness of any such new license ordinarily will be as of the date of filing of the application, we may be held liable for operating without a proper license and may be fined for any operations conducted during the application period. Moreover, for music search, because there has been no specific legislation regulating the search engine sector, disputes and lawsuits have frequently arisen in connection with search outcomes. The PRC government is considering legislation to strictly regulate the search engine sector. In the event that specific regulations are promulgated and come into effect, there is no assurance that our search engine will not be adversely affected and/or subjected to penalties from the PRC government.
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Table of ContentsThese excerpts taken from the SOHU 10-K filed Feb 28, 2008. If we are found to be in violation of current or future PRC laws, rules or regulations regarding Internet-related services and telecom-related activities, we could be subject to severe penalties. The PRC has enacted regulations that apply to Internet-related services and telecom-related activities. While many aspects of these regulations remain unclear, they purport to limit and require licensing of various aspects of the provision of Internet information and content, online advertising, online game and value-added telecommunication services. In addition, the PRC government may promulgate new laws, rules or regulations at any time. If these current or future laws, rules or regulations regarding Internet-related activities, are interpreted to be inconsistent with our ownership structure and/or our business operations, our business will be severely
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Table of Contentsimpaired and we could be subject to severe penalties. For example, the State Press and Publication Administration temporarily suspended the issuance of Online Publication Licenses, which caused us to be unable to obtain such license. As an alternative, we signed a contract with a third party, who holds such license, to publish our online game. We believe this practice has been adopted by most of our competitors and other Internet companies. However, it is unclear if the State Press and Publication Administration will permit this practice. If the State Press and Publication Administration prohibits us from publishing our game through a third party with a license, if the third party terminates the agreement for publishing our online game, or if we fail to maintain any other required permits or approvals, we may be subject to various penalties, including fines and the discontinuation of or restrictions on our operations. Any such disruption in our business operations would materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, as the online game industry is at an early stage of development in China, the PRC government might release new laws, new regulations and policies from time to time to implement restrictions and further regulation on the online games industry. For example, online games companies are required to install an anti-fatigue system, which discourages game participants from playing games for more than five hours per day. In addition, the PRC government has implemented a compulsory requirement that online game players register their real names and provide ID numbers when playing games. With this requirement as to real-name registration for online game players, the government implemented a rating system for online games. For those online games rated as not suitable for children under the age of 18, children under the age of 18 will be unable to access such game if a real name registration is in place. As a result, our revenues from online games may be adversely affected. In addition, we may be required to apply for a new license or new qualification or transfer from an old type of license to a new type of license at any time as a result of the requirements of newly promulgated laws or new regulations. There often is a lengthy period between the enactment of such new requirements and the final issuance of any required license or qualification. Although effectiveness of any such new license ordinarily will be as of the date of filing of the application, we may be held liable for operating without a proper license and may be fined for any operations conducted during the application period. If we are found to be in violation of current or future The
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In addition, the PRC FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">We may not be able to collect payments of our wireless fees if the PRC government determines that our existing ownership structure does not comply with PRC laws, rules or regulations. STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px">As discussed above, the PRC began several years ago to regulate its Internet sector by making pronouncements or enacting regulations regarding the legality of foreigninvestment in the PRC Internet sector. We believe that our current ownership structure complies with all existing PRC laws, rules and regulations. There are, however, substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation of current PRC Internet laws and regulations. It is possible that the PRC governments view will ultimately be contrary to ours. If the PRC government were to take a contrary view, we might not be able to collect payments of our wireless fees, which we receive from Sohu Internet and Goodfeel, which in turn collect the fees from mobile network operators. This excerpt taken from the SOHU 10-Q filed Aug 6, 2007. If we are found to be in violation of current or future PRC laws, rules or regulations regarding Internet-related services and telecom-related activities, we could be subject to severe penalties. The PRC has enacted regulations that apply to Internet-related services and telecom-related activities. While many aspects of these regulations remain unclear, they purport to limit and require licensing of various aspects of the provision of Internet information and content, online advertising and value-added telecommunication services. In addition, the PRC may promulgate new laws, rules or
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Table of Contentsregulations at any time. If these current or future laws, rules or regulations regarding Internet-related activities, are interpreted to be inconsistent with our ownership structure and/or our business operations, our business will be severely impaired and we could be subject to severe penalties. In addition, we may be required to apply for a new license or new qualification or transfer from an old type of license to a new type of license at any time as a result of the requirements of newly promulgated laws or new regulations. From the promulgation of such requirements to the final issuance of the license or qualification, there might be a long pending period. Although the issuance of the new license will finally trace back to the date of filing of the application, we may be held liable for operating without a proper license and may be fined for the operation during the application period. This excerpt taken from the SOHU 10-Q filed May 8, 2007. If we are found to be in violation of current or future PRC laws, rules or regulations regarding Internet-related services and telecom-related activities, we could be subject to severe penalties. The PRC has enacted regulations that apply to Internet-related services and telecom-related activities. While many aspects of these regulations remain unclear, they purport to limit and require licensing of various aspects of the provision of Internet information and content, online advertising and value-added telecommunication services. In addition, the PRC may promulgate new laws, rules or regulations at any time. If these current or future laws, rules or regulations regarding Internet-related activities, are interpreted to be inconsistent with our ownership structure and/or our business operations, our business will be severely impaired and we could be subject to severe penalties. In addition, we may be required to apply for a new license or new qualification or transfer from an old type of license to a new type of license at any time as a result of the requirements of newly promulgated laws or new regulations. From the promulgation of such requirements to the final issuance of the license or qualification, there might be a long pending period. Although the issuance of the new license will finally trace back to the date of filing of the application, we may be held liable for operating without a proper license and may be fined for the operation during the application period. This excerpt taken from the SOHU 10-K filed Mar 8, 2007. If we are found to be in violation of current or future PRC laws, rules or regulations regarding Internet-related services and telecom-related activities, we could be subject to severe penalties. The PRC has enacted regulations that apply to Internet-related services and telecom-related activities. While many aspects of these regulations remain unclear, they purport to limit and require licensing of various aspects of the provision of Internet information and content, online advertising and value-added telecommunication services. In addition, the PRC may promulgate new laws, rules or
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Table of Contentsregulations at any time. If these current or future laws, rules or regulations regarding Internet-related activities, are interpreted to be inconsistent with our ownership structure and/or our business operations, our business will be severely impaired and we could be subject to severe penalties. In addition, we may be required to apply for a new license or new qualification or transfer from an old type of license to a new type of license at any time as a result of the requirements of newly promulgated laws or new regulations. From the promulgation of such requirements to the final issuance of the license or qualification, there might be a long pending period. Although the issuance of the new license will finally trace back to the date of filing of the application, we may be held liable for operating without a proper license and may be fined for the operation during the application period. This excerpt taken from the SOHU 10-Q filed Nov 6, 2006. If we are found to be in violation of current or future PRC laws, rules or regulations regarding Internet-related services and telecom-related activities, we could be subject to severe penalties. The PRC has enacted regulations applying to Internet-related services and telecom-related activities. While many aspects of these regulations remain unclear, they purport to limit and require licensing of various aspects of the provision of Internet information and content, online advertising and value-added telecommunication services. In addition, the PRC may promulgate new laws, rules or regulations at any time. If these current or future laws, rules or regulations regarding Internet-related activities, are interpreted to be inconsistent with our ownership structure and/or our business operations, our business will be severely impaired and we could be subject to severe penalties. In addition, we may be required to apply for a new license or new qualification, or transfer from an old type of license to a new type of license at any time as a result of the requirements of newly promulgated laws or new regulations. From the promulgation of such requirement to the final issuance of the license or qualification, there might be a long pending period. Although the issuance of the new license will finally trace back to the date when filing such application, we may be held liable for operating without proper license and may be fined for the operation during the application period. This excerpt taken from the SOHU 10-Q filed Aug 8, 2006. If we are found to be in violation of current or future PRC laws, rules or regulations regarding Internet-related services and telecom-related activities, we could be subject to severe penalties. The PRC has enacted regulations applying to Internet-related services and telecom-related activities. While many aspects of these regulations remain unclear, they purport to limit and require licensing of various aspects of the provision of Internet information, online advertising and value-added telecommunication services. In addition, the PRC may promulgate new laws, rules or regulations at any time. If these current or future laws, rules or regulations regarding Internet-related activities, are interpreted to be inconsistent with our ownership structure and/or our business operations, our business will be severely impaired and we could be subject to severe penalties. In addition, we may be required to apply for a new license or new qualification, or transfer from an old type of license to a new type of license at any time as a result of the requirements of newly promulgated laws or new regulations. From the promulgation of such requirement to the final issuance of the license or qualification, there might be a long pending period. Although the issuance of the new license will finally trace back to the date when filing such application, we may be held liable for operating without proper license and may be fined for the operation during the application period.
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Table of ContentsThis excerpt taken from the SOHU 10-Q filed May 2, 2006. If we are found to be in violation of current or future PRC laws, rules or regulations regarding Internet-related services and telecom-related activities, we could be subject to severe penalties. The PRC has enacted regulations applying to Internet-related services and telecom-related activities. While many aspects of these regulations remain unclear, they purport to limit and require licensing of various aspects of the provision of Internet information, online advertising and value-added telecommunication services. In addition, the PRC may promulgate new laws, rules or regulations at any time. If these current or future laws, rules or regulations regarding Internet-related activities, are interpreted to be inconsistent with our ownership structure and/or our business operations, our business will be severely impaired and we could be subject to severe penalties. In addition, we may be required to apply for a new license or new qualification, or transfer from an old type of license to a new type of license at any time as a result of the requirements of newly promulgated laws or new regulations. From the promulgation of such requirement to the final issuance of the license or qualification, there might be a long pending period. Although the issuance of the new license will finally trace back to the date when filing such application, we may be held liable for operating without proper license and may be fined for the operation during the application period. This excerpt taken from the SOHU 10-K filed Feb 28, 2006. If we are found to be in violation of current or future PRC laws, rules or regulations regarding Internet-related services and telecom-related activities, we could be subject to severe penalties. The PRC has enacted regulations applying to Internet-related services and telecom-related activities. While many aspects of these regulations remain unclear, they purport to limit and require licensing of various aspects of the provision of Internet information, online advertising and value-added telecommunication services. In addition, the PRC may promulgate new laws, rules or regulations at any time. If these current or future laws, rules or regulations regarding Internet-related activities, are interpreted to be inconsistent with our ownership structure and/or our business operations, our business will be severely impaired and we could be subject to severe penalties. In addition, we may be required to apply for a new license or new qualification, or transfer from an old type of license to a new type of license at any time as a result of the requirements of newly promulgated laws or new regulations. From the promulgation of such requirement to the final issuance of the license or qualification, there might be a long pending period. Although the issuance of the new license will finally trace back to the date when filing such application, we may held liable for operating without proper license and may be fined for the operation during the application period. This excerpt taken from the SOHU 10-Q filed Nov 9, 2005. If we are found to be in violation of current or future PRC laws, rules or regulations regarding Internet-related services and telecom-related activities, we could be subject to severe penalties.
The PRC has enacted regulations applying to Internet-related services and telecom-related activities. While many aspects of these regulations remain unclear, they purport to limit and require licensing of various aspects of the provision of Internet information, online advertising and value added telecommunication services. In addition, the PRC may promulgate new laws, rules or regulations at any time. If these current or future laws, rules or regulations regarding Internet-related activities, are interpreted to be inconsistent with our ownership structure and/or our business operations, our business will be severely impaired and we could be subject to severe penalties as discussed above. In addition, we may be required to apply for a new license or new qualification, or transfer from an old type of license to a new type of license at any time as a result of the requirements of newly promulgated laws or new regulations. From the promulgation of such requirement to the final issuance of the license or qualification, there might be a long pending period. Although the issuance of the new license will finally trace back to the date when filing such application, we may held liable for operating without proper license and may be fined for the operation during the application period.
This excerpt taken from the SOHU 10-Q filed Aug 8, 2005. If we are found to be in violation of current or future PRC laws, rules or regulations regarding Internet-related services and telecom-related activities, we could be subject to severe penalties.
The PRC has enacted regulations applying to Internet-related services and telecom-related activities. While many aspects of these regulations remain unclear, they purport to limit and require licensing of various aspects of the provision of Internet information, online advertising and value added telecommunication services. In addition, the PRC may promulgate new laws, rules or regulations at any time. If these current or future laws, rules or regulations regarding Internet-related activities, are interpreted to be inconsistent with our ownership structure and/or our business operations, our business will be severely impaired and we could be subject to severe penalties as discussed above. In addition, we may be required to apply for a new license or new qualification, or transfer from an old type of license to a new type of license at any time as a result of the requirements of newly promulgated laws or new regulations. From the promulgation of such requirement to the final issuance of the license or qualification, there might be a long pending period. Although the issuance of the new license will finally trace back to the date when filing such application, we may held liable for operating without proper license and may be fined for the operation during the application period.
This excerpt taken from the SOHU 10-Q filed May 2, 2005. If we are found to be in violation of current or future PRC laws, rules or regulations regarding Internet-related services and telecom-related activities, we could be subject to severe penalties.
The PRC has enacted regulations applying to Internet-related services and telecom-related activities. While many aspects of these regulations remain unclear, they purport to limit and require licensing of various aspects of the provision of Internet information, online advertising and value added telecommunication services. In addition, the PRC may promulgate new laws, rules or regulations at any time. If these current or future laws, rules or regulations regarding Internet-related activities, are interpreted to be inconsistent with our ownership structure and/or our business operations, our business will be severely impaired and we could be subject to severe penalties as discussed above. In addition, we may be required to apply for new license or new qualification, or transfer from an old type of license to a new type of license at any time as a result of the requirement by newly promulgated law or new regulation. From the promulgation of such requirement to the final issuance of the license or qualification, there might be a long pending period. Although the issuance of the new license will finally trace back to the date when filing such application, we may held liable for operating without proper license and may be fined for the operation during the application period.
This excerpt taken from the SOHU 10-K filed Mar 25, 2005. If we are found to be in violation of current or future PRC laws, rules or regulations regarding Internet-related services and telecom-related activities, we could be subject to severe penalties.
The PRC has enacted regulations applying to Internet-related services and telecom-related activities. While many aspects of these regulations remain unclear, they purport to limit and require licensing of various aspects of the provision of Internet information, online advertising and value added telecommunication services. In addition, the PRC may promulgate new laws, rules or regulations at any time. If these current or future laws, rules or regulations are interpreted to be inconsistent with our ownership structure and/or our business operations, our business will be severely impaired and we could be subject to severe penalties as discussed above.
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