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NetEase: Awaiting Official GAPP Communications
NetEase (Nasdaq:NTES) responded to a notice published by the General Administration of Press and Publications (GAPP) to the effect that it has halted its review of NetEase's licensed 3D MMORPG World of Warcraft (WoW) and demanding the company suspend commercial operations of the game by announcing that neither it nor its WoW operations subsidiary Shanghai EaseNet has been officially notified of GAPP's decision. According to NetEase's statement, the company is seeking clarification from "the relevant governmental authorities" regarding the GAPP notice.
The Ministry of Culture's (MoC) Marketing Bureau Online Game Culture Department Director Liu Qiang told Sina the General Administration of Press and Publications (GAPP) is contravening the government's rules on jurisdiction of the online gaming market between MoC, GAPP, and State Administration of Radio Film and Television (SARFT). Liu reiterated MoC's stance that it alone has the right to investigate and punish online games publishers.
Reports yesterday said GAPP issued a notice saying it has halted its review of WoW and returned the company's application to operate the game in China.
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