Sohu.com (SOHU)

Our investment in online games and e-commerce businesses may not be successful.

We have invested and may invest further in our online games and e-commerce businesses. Online gaming is currently one of the fastest growing online services in the PRC. We currently rely on licenses from third party game companies. Our licenses of Knight Online and Blade Online will expire in November and September 2006, respectively. In the event that a license expires and we wish to renew such license, the licensor may only agree to renew such license upon an increase in the license fee that we pay to such licensor. The e-commerce business is small and unproven in the PRC. We face intense competition in these areas. In addition, our business might be significantly affected if there are any changes in the PRC laws or regulations in relation to these businesses. For example, the PRC government has issued a new law to implement restrictions and further regulations on the online games industry. Based on these rules, online games companies are encouraged to install a so-called

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“anti-fatigue system”, which discourages the game participants from playing games for more than five hours per day. As a result, our online games business may be severely impacted and our revenues from online games may be adversely affected. We may not succeed in these markets despite our investment of time and funds. If we fail to achieve a significant market position, we will fail to realize our anticipated returns on these investments.