A brief introduction to the Interim Measures for the Administration of Online Games

With the rapid development of the Internet in China, online games have become a new form of online culture and an important cultural product for the masses to consume entertainment on the Internet. The Ministry of Culture, as the competent department for online games, has earnestly performed its management duties and formulated the "Interim Measures for the Administration of Online Games" (hereinafter referred to as the "Measures"). The Measures are China's first departmental regulations specifically for the management and regulation of online games, which have a significant and far-reaching impact on the healthy and orderly development of online games in China.

On June 3, 2010, Minister Cai Wu of the Ministry of Culture officially issued the "Measures", which were officially implemented on August 1. The "Interim Measures for the Administration of Online Games" is China's first departmental regulation dedicated to the management of online games, and will play a positive guiding role in the healthy development of online games in China.

The Ministry of Culture has established the basic principles for engaging in online gaming activities, clarified the scope of application and the concepts of "online games", "online operation of online games", and "virtual currency for online games", and made institutional arrangements for the management of online game content, the protection of minors, business conduct, and the issuance and management of virtual currency.

The Measures require that online gaming enterprises require players to use valid ID cards for real-name registration and save user registration information. Enterprises shall make an announcement 60 days in advance of the termination or transfer of the operation rights of online games.

It is worth noting that the Ministry of Culture also requires that online game companies "shall not set up compulsory battles without the consent of online game users, and shall not induce online game users to invest legal tender or online game virtual currency to obtain online game products and services by random methods such as random selection".

Which online game is not random now, especially in the world, those online game management methods are useful, that is, just take a look, who can be managed? Who cares if they all collect the money?

Legal Analysis: The Interim Measures for the Administration of Online Games, issued by the Ministry of Culture, systematically make clear provisions on the entertainment content, market entities, business activities, operational behaviors and legal liabilities of online games.

Legal basis: "Interim Measures for the Administration of Online Games".

Article 4: Those engaged in online gaming business activities shall comply with the Constitution, laws, and administrative regulations, persist in giving priority to social benefits and the protection of minors, carry forward ideological and cultural and moral norms that embody the development of the times and social progress, follow the principles conducive to protecting public health and moderate gaming, lawfully preserve the lawful rights and interests of online game users, and promote the overall development of people and social harmony.

Article 5: Online gaming industry associations and other community organizations shall accept the guidance of the administrative departments for culture, draft industry self-discipline norms in accordance with laws, administrative regulations, and charters, strengthen education on professional ethics, guide and supervise members' business activities, preserve members' lawful rights and interests, and promote fair competition.

Legal Analysis: The Interim Measures for the Administration of Online Games are formulated to strengthen the management of online games, standardize the order of online game operations, and maintain the healthy development of the online game industry.

Legal basis: In accordance with article 1 of the "Interim Measures for the Administration of Online Gaming": These Measures are formulated on the basis of the "Decision of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress on Preserving Internet Security" and the "Measures for the Administration of Internet Information Services", as well as relevant provisions of national laws and regulations, so as to strengthen the management of online games, standardize the order of online game operations, and maintain the healthy development of the online gaming industry.