Core Viewpoint - Zulong Entertainment (09990.HK) reported a significant increase in revenue for the first half of 2025, achieving 634.3 million yuan, a year-on-year growth of 44.4%, marking a successful "three consecutive increases" in revenue [1] Revenue Performance - The revenue growth of 44.4% in the first half of 2025 follows previous growth rates of 25.6% in 2024 and 55.5% in 2023, indicating a strong market performance [1] - The adjusted net loss was reduced by 93.6% compared to the same period last year, reflecting continuous improvement in operational conditions [1] Game Launches and Performance - The performance improvement is attributed to the successful launches of "Dragon Tribe: Cassel Gate" and "Treading Wind" in the second half of 2024 and the first half of 2025, respectively, along with the stable performance of "Shining Name" [1] - "Shining Name" achieved a historical high in monthly profit in January 2025, with total global revenue exceeding 2 billion yuan as of the announcement date [2] - "Treading Wind," a Chinese-style RPG developed using Unreal Engine 4, topped the iOS free games chart on its launch day in May 2025 [2] Global Strategy - Zulong Entertainment maintains a global strategy, focusing on a research and operation integration model to customize differentiated strategies for various markets [2] - The company aims to deepen local market engagement and enhance value while continuing to expand internationally [2] Game Quality and Operations - The company emphasizes a "research and operation integration" model to enhance game quality and extend revenue cycles, with several classic games maintaining stable long-term performance [3] - The gross margin remains above 70%, showcasing a competitive edge in the industry, supported by effective cost management and innovation in research and development [3] Future Outlook - Zulong Entertainment plans to continue its core strategies of quality, multi-category development, research and operation integration, and globalization [3] - The company aims to explore AI applications in game development, enhancing dynamic gameplay through intelligent NPCs and integrating user-generated and AI-generated content [3]

Core Viewpoint - The ongoing copyright dispute surrounding the song "Year Ring" highlights the complexities and challenges in the music industry's copyright system, particularly in the context of multiple versions and interpretations of songs [1][19][20] Group 1: Background of the Dispute - The controversy began when online singer "Wang Zai Xiao Qiao" claimed that the original singer of "Year Ring" is only Zhang Bichen, leading to a "dual original singer" dispute between the song's creator Wang Sulong and performer Zhang Bichen [3][5] - The year 2015 marked a pivotal moment in China's online music copyright landscape, with the National Copyright Administration issuing a notice to halt unauthorized music distribution, thus ending the "wild west" era of online music [3][4] Group 2: Industry Response - Major music streaming platforms, such as QQ Music and NetEase Cloud, exhibited unusual behavior by altering the "original singer" labels for the song, which raised public skepticism about the criteria for determining "original" status [4][19] - The platforms' actions reflect a lack of a clear and transparent standard for defining "original" in the context of multiple versions of songs, indicating a need for improved governance in the industry [4][20] Group 3: Implications for Copyright System - The "dual original singer" situation underscores the necessity for a more refined and transparent copyright determination system that accommodates the evolving nature of music production and consumption [19][20] - The current copyright framework struggles to adapt to the complexities of multiple interpretations and versions of songs, necessitating a shift towards a more nuanced approach that balances emotional value and commercial interests [20]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the controversy surrounding NetEase Cloud Music's handling of the original artist label for songs by Zhang Bicheng and Wang Sulong, highlighting issues of copyright and platform responsibility [2][3][4]. Group 1: Incident Overview - NetEase Cloud Music initially removed the original artist label for three songs by Zhang Bicheng, including "Year Ring," while maintaining the label for Wang Sulong's version [2][3]. - The platform later restored the original artist labels after user complaints and clarified that the removal was due to a system display issue [3][4]. - Legal experts noted that the original artist label lacks a clear definition in Chinese copyright law, and the rights depend on the contractual agreements between the artists and the platform [4][7]. Group 2: Artist Statements and Reactions - Zhang Bicheng's studio stated that she is the only original artist for "Year Ring," which was first released in June 2015, while Wang Sulong's version followed shortly after [4][6]. - Wang Sulong's team announced the decision to retract the song's authorization due to the ongoing dispute over the original artist designation [4][6]. Group 3: Financial Context - NetEase Cloud Music is facing increasing financial pressure, with a reported revenue decline of 8.4% year-on-year in Q1 2025, totaling 1.858 billion yuan, and a gross profit decrease of 11% [14]. - In contrast, Tencent Music reported a revenue increase of 8.7% year-on-year, highlighting the competitive challenges faced by NetEase Cloud Music [14].

Core Viewpoint - The controversy surrounding the original singer label for Zhang Bicheng's songs on NetEase Cloud Music highlights issues of copyright and platform management in the music industry [2][3][4]. Group 1: Incident Overview - NetEase Cloud Music initially removed the original singer label for three songs by Zhang Bicheng, including the popular track "Year Wheel," while maintaining the label for the version by Wang Sulong [2][3]. - The platform later restored the original singer labels after clarifying that the removal was due to a system display issue [3]. - Legal experts indicated that if the copyright holder retracts the performance authorization, the performer cannot continue to perform the song unless specified in the contract [3][5]. Group 2: Background and Reactions - The dispute originated from comments made by online singer "Wang Zai Xiao Qiao," who stated that "Year Wheel" was created by Wang Sulong but originally sung by Zhang Bicheng [4]. - Zhang Bicheng's studio asserted that she was the only original singer of "Year Wheel," which was first released in June 2015, while Wang Sulong's version followed shortly after [4]. - Wang Sulong's team announced the retraction of authorization for "Year Wheel" due to the ongoing controversy, while Zhang Bicheng's studio stated they would no longer perform the song out of respect [4]. Group 3: Financial Context - NetEase Cloud Music is facing increasing financial pressure, with a reported revenue of 1.858 billion yuan in Q1 2025, down 8.4% from 2.029 billion yuan in the same period last year [10]. - The company's gross profit also decreased by 11%, contrasting with Tencent Music's growth in revenue and profit during the same quarter [10]. - The series of operational missteps raises concerns about NetEase Cloud Music's ability to deliver satisfactory financial results by the end of the year [10].

Group 1 - The core issue revolves around the original singer dispute of the song "Year Ring," with claims from both Wang Zai Xiao Qiao and QQ Music regarding the original attribution of the song [2][3] - Wang Su Long's team declared on July 25 that "Year Ring" has "dual original singers" and announced the retraction of the song's authorization [3][4] - Zhang Bi Chen's studio asserted that she is the "only original singer" based on the first public release and distribution records, while acknowledging "Dream Fantasy Zhuang Xian" as a "dual original" song [3][4] Group 2 - The definition of "original singer" is debated, with the term not explicitly defined in the Civil Code or Copyright Law, leading to confusion among the public [5][9] - The industry recognizes "original singer" based on market perception and customary practices, with the first public release being a key factor [10][18] - The concept of "dual original" is not traditionally recognized in the industry, especially during the era of physical recordings [10][18] Group 3 - Wang Su Long's retraction of authorization is legally valid, allowing him to control the use of "Year Ring" without transferring copyright [21][24] - Zhang Bi Chen's claim of "permanent singing rights" may refer to non-commercial performances or specific contractual agreements, but the legitimacy of such rights remains unclear [22][25] - The ongoing dispute highlights the need for clear contractual agreements in the music industry to prevent future conflicts [25][26]