Reading app under probe over piracy

National Copyright Administration has launched an investigation against Toutiao.com, an online reading app, for allegedly infringing copyright, a senior official said on Monday.

Yu Cike, director of the administration's copyright department, told People's Daily that they had received complaints from traditional media about the infringement before the start of a campaign against online piracy on June 10. The drive against online piracy called Jianwang Operation began in 2005.

"Internet media should be proactive when it comes to self-inspection and conducting copyright cooperation with traditional media," Yu, on behalf of the administration, said in an interview.

Zhang Yiming, CEO of Toutiao.com, confirmed to China Daily earlier this month that several leading portals and media giants had asked his company to stop unauthorized news links, reproductions and forwards.

The app agreed an out-of-court settlement last Thursday with Guangzhou Daily, the only company that had sought legal redressal.

Toutiao.com was established in August 2012 and has increased its user-base to 120 million in less than two years.