The Guangdong High People's Court on Thursday ruled in favor of defendant Tencent Holdings in a high-profile online monopoly case.

Tencent — China's largest instant messaging service provider — was accused of abusing its dominant market position by Qihoo 360, an anti-virus software company.

The case was first heard in April 2012.

Qihoo 360 asked Tencent to pay a compensation valued at 150 million yuan and publicly apologize for having misused its dominant market position.

Zhang Xuejiun, the presiding judge of case, said the defendant did not break any laws and turned down all the charges from the plaintiff.