ina.com, the Chinese internet portal, has launched a music platform called Sina Music Storeroom in association with five international music companies, including BMG Universal, Sony, Warner and EMI. The platform offers free online music as well as wireless music services such as mobile ringtones, colour ringtones and video recording services, reports chinatechnews.com. According to the deal, Sina will share income from the online advertisements and wireless value-added services with the five partners, and might try a pay-to-download service later.

Competition in the wireless space is fierce, as gigantic mobile companies like China Unicom and China Mobile enjoy a fair bit of market share. The partnership should ensure a steady supply of legal music content to Sina.... more