BEIJING, Oct. 25 -- BAIDU.COM Inc has stopped providing free music download links on its Website as a compromise to music publishers, which sued the biggest Chinese online search engine firm over the issue.

    Instead, a warning message has appeared on the Beijing-based company's Website before users start to download music or songs through Baidu's MP3 search service.

    "The search result (of songs) has been made automatically and Baidu itself doesn't make and transfer music," the message said. "We pay close attention to protecting intellectual property rights. If any authors or copyright owners find the links are pirated songs, please let us know."

    Before that, Baidu's users could download songs directly on its MP3 search result lists.

    The share price of Baidu, which went public in August, surged more than fourfold in its first trading day on Nasdaq.

    More than one-third of Baidu's online traffic came from its MP3 search service, according to the company's file.

    Last month, Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Warner Music Group Corp, EMI Group Plc and other music companies filed lawsuits against Baidu in the Beijing People's Intermediate Court, seeking to stop it from offering the service.

    In August, Shanghai Busheng Music Culture Media Co accused Baidu of allowing unauthorized downloads of 53 songs the company owns the copyright to without permission.

    Busheng is asking Baidu for 560,000 yuan (US$69,104) in compensation for damages.

(Source: Shanghai Daily)