MUMBAI: China’s top search engine Baidu.com has been sued by a local music industry group for alleged copyright violation.

The Music Copyright Society of China official Qu Jingming accused Baidu.com Inc. of "providing music listening, broadcasting and downloading services in various forms on its web site without approval, and through unfettered piracy, earning huge advertising revenue on its huge number of hits."

The industry group said that Baidu’s piracy forced legitimate online music providers to shut down. The Music Copyright Society of China has filed a lawsuit against Baidu.com in a Beijing court in January.

Earlier too, music companies Universal Music, Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Warner Music Hong Kong and Hong Kong-based Gold Label Entertainment sought legal action against Baidu.com.