QQ, an instant messaging software from Tencent, has about 76.2 percent of the market share, according to consulting company iResearch.

Zhang Xuejun, the court's presiding judge, said there are issues to be clarified before a ruling could be handed down, including how to define the "market", whether the defendant has a dominant market position and whether it has taken advantage of its market share.

Li Qing, deputy director of the anti-monopoly bureau of the National Development and Reform Commission, said at an anti-monopoly seminar on Sunday that behind the complicated disputes are often contests for profit, and the Internet industry should also work under the basic guide of the Anti-Monopoly Law.

"Innovation is one of the biggest benefits of the Internet industry, which should be protected, although companies may make mistakes while trying out new things," said Li Guobin, a senior official from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

Wang Bin, an official from Beijing's online copyright protection association, said cutthroat competition has become more common in the Internet industry, and the spat between Qihoo360 and Tencent is just one example.

"No matter what the ruling is, it will have a far-reaching impact on Internet development, especially for instant messaging services," Wang said.

QUESTIONS

1 What 2 Internet companies are fighting in court?

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