Google dances to online tunes in China

Hong Kong - Google China and music provider Top100.cn, which counts basketball star Yao Ming as an investor, have announced the launch of music search service Music Onebox on Google.

The search service, which gives users legal access to music online, is backed by a number of record labels, but is available only for netizens in China. Users outside China are blocked from accessing the music site.

Top100.cn told Marketing Universal Music and Sony BMG Entertainment Hong Kong will take part in this new service, with much of the revenue coming from advertising. Warner Music Hong Kong is still in talks with the groups about the deal.

Details regarding revenue-sharing and copyright protection matter are not available at this stage, according to Top100.cn.