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Asiajin

Web Services/Companies/People Reports from Asia

Big shake-up at Mixi: Apps possible, no invitations anymore, kids OKNovember 27

Today Mixi, Japan’s biggest social network, sent out a press release (J), announcing some of the biggest changes the site has seen in recent months. The company of the same name also held a press meeting today. And they are opening up pretty radically for Mixi standards.

Here are the details:

New age limit

- starting December 10, users aged 15 and up can register on Mixi (the age limit was 18 before)

- it will not be able to look up users aged 15 to 17

- these users will not get to see “inappropriate” display or text ads

Changes in the registration process

- in spring 2009, the invitation system (new users need to be invited by existing members) isn’t mandatory anymore (but will not be abolished completely)

- as under the existing system, self-registered members must acquire another member for Mixi quickly or they will get banned

- a Japanese cell phone number is still needed for confirmation of the registration

- the terms of use will be changed accordingly

Opening up to outside services

- starting December 11, the site will offer “Mixi Ap

Google agrees to pay royalties for Japanese music played in YouTube clipsNovember 27

Google today came to an agreement with the JASRAC (Japanese Society for Rights of Authors, Composers and Publishers), Japan’s largest music copyright administration body to pay royalties for music protected by local copyright and used in YouTube videos.

YouTube members are now free to upload video clips containing JASRAC-protected music (the organization controls over 1.5 million pieces of music).

Japanese copyright holders are known for their rigidity in protecting their content. Google has been forced to “clear” YouTube of Japanese content several times in the past.

Post from: Asiajin, Japan's Web/IT news

Google agrees to pay royalties for Japanese music played in YouTube clips

Breaking News: Gree goes IPONovember 13

Gree Inc. Japanese Social Network Service (SNS) company which has been chasing Mixi in PC web, and Mobage-Town/DeNA in mobile web, seems to be listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Mothers (Tosho Mothers) around December 17th. No mentioned on Gree’s company site yet.

Both Gree and Mixi launched in February 2004, seeing orkut’s success which just began the month before, January 2004. At the early stage Gree got more attentions mainly from IT industry workers and university students, but soon find themselves supplanted by Mixi which targeted female and non-technical users. Recently Gree put more power into cellphone SNS with casual Flash games and rumoured IPO for year.

The number of registered users on October 20th 2008 is over 7 million [J]. Mixi’s one is over 15 million at the point of July 14th 2008. [J]

Toluu

Asiajin

Web Services/Companies/People Reports from Asia

New age limit

Changes in the registration process

Opening up to outside services

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