On April 3, 2001 Administrative Measures on Places of Business for Internet Access Services (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 that were addressed by the Measures include: the establishment, operation and use of "places of business for internet access services", and the requisite supervision over and administration of such venues used for such activities.
"Places of business for internet access services" is defined as places of business where there is internet access and to which the general public has available access.
To start an internet café, three administrative steps need to be followed and presented to an Internet Service Provider (ISP) for approval. The administrative steps are:
(i) approval by the public security authorities and culture authorities;
(ii) business permit from the provincial-level telecommunications authorities; and
(iii) business license from SAIC.
The Measures impose obligations on both the end-users and operators of such internet cafés. The Measures are aimed at standarising registration and supervision procedures for internet cafés and to ensure, on public policy grounds, that such venues are not used for illegal 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.
