UPDATES: CNNIC's restrictions, enacted around December 14, may have been a policy response to reduce .cn domains used for spamming, as reported by Symantec.   CNNIC has now lifted restrictions on registration of .cn domain names by individuals. However, registrations are now apparently limited to those who submit written application forms.  Obviously, registrations requiring business registration information or manual application processes might improve identity information of domain registrants and hinder spammers, but it hardly seems a scalable solution.


China's government is using its control of domain names to impose more strict controls over the Internet. In a recent announcement of China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC), individuals can no longer register .cn domain names unless they can provide business registration information. The regulation will take effect on Dec, 14, 2009. To apply for a domain name, applicants must provide the paper documents as well as the online registration form. The documents include: domain name registration form (with enterprise official seal), copy of the business license of the enterprise or corporate code certificate and copy of the national ID card of the applicant.

China's government is also using licensing of audio-visual content to retain undermine the freedom of peer to peer networking. According to a source in China, in the past week almost all the major P2P websites in China (e.g, BTchina.net, ) have been forced to shut down, because they hold no License for Publication of Audio-Visual Programs. In December, 2008, The State Administration of Radio Film and Television(SARFT) issued "Internet audio and video program service management" and the regulation took effect in January, 2008. It stated that any organization providing audio-video services on Internet must meet the the following initial requirement: must have legal personality and the organization must be solely funded by the state or be state-owned. The application process of " License for Publication of Audio-Visual Programs" can be found here.

The idea of "licensing" audio-visual materials on web sites is a "brilliant" idea that some European countries are also pursuing.