China Grants Google Operating License
Posted on 09. Jul, 2010 by Daniel Cawrey in News
We reported earlier this week speculation that Google’s Chinese license to operate their website had been approved, but the article in question was deleted. Now Google themselves have told Reuters that they have in fact have had their license renewed, paving the way for future operations in China, whatever that may mean to the company.
One thing that has changed recently to the Google.cn page is that it no longer reroutes a user directly to Google.com.hk, you have to click inside a rounded box that surrounds the search field, or do a search which then takes you to Google.com.hk.
While many western corporations are having some success in China, others are not doing so well. General Electric CEO Jeff Immelt recently railed against the Chinese market, claiming the system there that requires joint venture partnership with local Chinses companies allows them to steal intellectual property for their own use.
Google has no choice but to comply with Chinese demands because of the potential opportunity in the years ahead. It’s clear that if you want to play ball in the Chinese market it has to be done according to their rules.
The proliferation of Android products coming from the Chinese mainland bode well for the company, and although these devices are usually not legitmate in that they cannot access the Android Market, it shows that Google’s free operating systems may work well in a country where most poeple don’t pay for software as it is. Just ask Steve Ballmer. No one is willing to pay for Windows, or for any other software for that matter in China.
