Video sharing site Qvod fined 260m yuan for sharing porn, infringing copyright

One of China's most popular online platforms for watching and downloading video content will be fined 260 million yuan (HK$327 million) for linking to pornographic material and copyright infringement, according to media reports in Shenzhen.

Qvod, founded in 2007, has been accused of allowing users to watch pirated material and pornographic content on the company's peer-to-peer video-player technology.

The service, which boasts 300 million users, reportedly derived much of its profit by offering videos without the consent of licence holders. It is also alleged that it allows pornographic websites to access its streaming technology.

Yesterday, officers from the Shenzhen Market Supervision and Administration Bureau served a notice at the company's headquarters in Nanshan district, according to the Southern Metropolis Daily and several other major newspapers.

The bureau confirmed on its weibo account that it had served the notice to inform the company of its intention to impose a "large" fine, without confirming the amount. Qvod management was not present when the notice was served, the bureau added in its statement.

The company, the subject of ongoing probes, was not available for comment yesterday.