On April 3, 2001 Administrative Measures on Places of Business for Internet Access Services (the Measures) were issued by the Ministry of the Information Industry (MII), the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Culture and the State Administration for Industry and Commerce (SAIC).
The Measures were enacted in accordance with the Administrative Measures on Internet Information Services, the Administrative Measures on Security Protection of the International Networking of Computer Information Networks and other relevant laws and regulations.
Issues addressed by the Measures include: the establishment, operation and use of "places of business for internet access services", supervision over and administration for such places.
"Places of business for internet access services" are defined as places of business where internet access is provided to the public.
To start an internet café, three administrative steps need to be followed and presented to an ISP (Internet Service Provider) for approval. The administrative steps are:
- approval by the public security authorities and culture authorities
- business permit from the provincial-level telecommunications authorities
- business license from SAIC.
The Measures impose obligations on both users and operators of internet cafés. The opening hours of such a place for minors are strictly limited. The Measures aim at standarising registration procedures for internet cafés and ensuring that they are not used for illicit activities.
For further information please contact Luke Filei on luke.filei@cms-cmck.com or +86 10 6590 0389 in Beijing or +86 21 6289 6363 in Shanghai.
