Chinese instant communications service provider Tencent has filed a lawsuit against MMIM Technologies, owner of instant communication service Personalized Information and Communication Assistant (PICA), accusing the MMIM of infringing on its software copyright. Tencent seeks CNY5 million in compensation.

This appears to be the first case related to the mutual connection among instant communications service providers in China. Tencent says MMIM Technologies unilaterally connected its PICA to Tencent's QQ through technical means, and entered QQ system without their prior authorization. Tencent says that MMIM Technologies also made use of Tencent's reputation to promote its PICA, which has resulted in a decline of users for QQ.

A representative from MMIM Technologies has told local media that instant communications service providers should keep it in mind that all their communications tools should be mutually connected, which is a big benefit for the users.

In December 2005, MMIM announced completion of venture capital funding co-led by BlueRun Ventures and IDGVC. MIM was established in September, 2004 and PICA is a service platform supporting various mobile terminals by integrating resources from traditional Internet and mobile data networks. PICA provides its users with personalized mobile multimedia communication and information services, and provides its corporate customers with mobile group communication and business application.