China punishes gaming company using pornographic adverts

China has banned a mobile game using a Japanese porn star for promotion and fined its developer for publicising pornography, the ministry of culture said Thursday.

The Shanghai Wanke Internet Technology corporation invited Kato Taka, a famous Japanese porn actor, to make a video with pornographic content to advertise a mobile game developed by the company, Xinhua quoted the ministry as saying.

In addition, without approval from authorities, Shanghai Wanke conducted business operations involving internet games, providing online games and services through its website and the Apple App Store, and gained profits through the virtual currency it issued to gamers.

Law enforcers in Shanghai banned the illegal website and advertising activities, suspending all advertisement involving Kato Taka. Shanghai Wanke has also been fined $27,675.

The move was made in accordance with regulations concerning online games issued in 2010. They stipulate that online game advertisement involving pornography, violence, gambling and other contents violating social morality are to be banned.