Hangzhou-based online music provider 5fad.com is suing search engine Baidu.com, alleging copyright violation of more than 1,000 songs owned by 5fad.com in what could be the largest intellectual property rights case in China. The music provider is demanding compensation of RMB 100 million (US$13.2 million). “We have repeatedly asked Baidu to remove its links to our music in accordance with regulations,” Guo Zheng, marketing manager of 5fad, told Interfax. “However, Baidu has not complied with our requests, saying the workload involved was too heavy.” The Hangzhou-headquartered company first filed suit against Baidu in April 2006, claiming Baidu’s mp3 search service enabled users to download songs owned by 5fad without paying. Subsequently, 5fad initiated court actions against Chinese portal Sina.com., China Yahoo, TOM Online and Chinese search engines Zhongsou.com and Sougou.com, alleging mp3 copyright violations. In January 2007, 5fad lost the first case against Baidu, but lodged an appeal. Zhongsou and TOM Online settled with 5fad, Interfax reported.