Culture> Film and TV

Top singing competition renamed due to legal trouble

( China.org.cn ) Updated: 2016-07-08 10:04:08

A new poster for "Sing! China". [Photo / China.org.cn]

Zhejiang Television had to change its top singing competition show from "China's Good Voice 2016" to "China's New Singing Voice" on Wednesday night due to a court ruling that forbids it from using the former name.

"Zhejiang Television always respects the rule of law and will respect the court ruling. To obey the authority of the justice system, the TV station's 'China's Good Voice 2016' will be temporarily renamed 'China's New Singing Voice,' and the renamed show will be broadcast on July 15, 2016, as scheduled," the statement said.

The English show title was previously changed to "Sing! China," but it is currently unknown if the English name will also be changed again.

The Beijing Intellectual Property Court rejected the appeal of former producer Canxing Productions of "The Voice of China" (its Chinese name is literally "China's Good Voice") on Monday night, ruling that they cannot produce further episodes under the name. But this is a temporary protection order for the plaintiff rather than a verdict in a copyright infringement case.

The brand and format are owned by Talpa Holding, which originally produced "The Voice of Holland." Canxing acquired the rights of the show and co-produced four seasons with Zhejiang Television and made the show the top rated show in China.

An old poster for "The Voice of China". [Photo/China.org.cn]

This year, Canxing and Talpa's negotiation fell apart and Talpa found another Chinese agent, the Zhejiang Talent Television & Film Company Limited. But Canxing continued doing a similar show with some changes and the same Chinese name ("China's Good Voice") that will be broadcast on July 15. So Talent filed a lawsuit.

But Zhejiang Television said the Chinese name of the show, "China's Good Voice," was created by the television station itself according to laws and contracts and is approved by China's TV watchdogs, including the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television of China. It has also registered the trademarks and owns the rights to the name.

The television station said the temporary renaming will cause them significant damage and that they maintain the right to sue the relevant parties for their malicious lawsuit action.

Tian Ming, the CEO of Canxing Productions, said they would countersue Talent for their reckless legal action, demanding compensations. Tian added his company won't import foreign show formats in the future and will focus on original creation instead.

Industry insiders said even though Canxing cannot produce "China's Good Voice" shows for now, Talent cannot either, as the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television only approved and registered the name under Zhejiang Television.

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