The appeals body of the World Trade Organisation yesterday upheld an earlier ruling against China's restrictions on imports of US films and music, rebuffing Beijing's claim that the restrictions were necessary to protect public morals.
The verdict, which is final, also opens the way for US and other foreign companies to sell mobile ring tones and music over the internet in China. This rapidly growing market, already worth half a billion dollars annually, is currently barred to non-Chinese companies.
Ron Kirk, US trade representative, said: “Today America got a big win. We are very pleased that the WTO has found against China's import and distribution restrictions on US movies, music, DVDs and publications.”