Court rejects former 'Voice of China' producers in dispute
- By Zhang Rui
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E-mail China.org.cn, July 6, 2016
The Beijing Intellectual Property Court rejected the appeal of former producers of "The Voice of China" on Monday night and ruled that they cannot produce further episodes under the brand.
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A new poster for "Sing! China" [Photo / China.org.cn] |
Based on the original "The Voice of Holland," the show (known in Chinese as "China's Good Voice") has become one of the most popular reality television singing competitions in China with the highest TV rating. In 2012, Canxing Productions acquired the rights of the show from Talpa Holding, the owner of the show's format and franchise, and made 4 seasons under the franchise since then, which was broadcast on Zhejiang Television.
However, in 2016, contractual disputes arose between Talpa Holding and Canxing Production, and negotiations fell apart for further cooperation. Talpa then inked an exclusive deal with another Chinese producing company, the Zhejiang Talent Television & Film Company Limited, to produce the upcoming seasons of the show from Jan. 28, 2016 to Jan. 28, 2020.
But Canxing still used same Chinese brand name (literally "China's Good Voice") to produce and promote a new show and started nationwide campus auditions. Talent filed a complaint to the court in early June to stop it and later the court ruled in favor of Talent on June 20.
Canxing argued that "China's Good Voice" was the name approved by the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television of China to be used for Zhejiang Television production and broadcast. It also stressed in its appeal that they have changed the name into "Good Voice 2016" (with the English show title to be "Sing! China") and made a different format for the show, which will be a brand new and original show.
The Beijing court reviewed the case and ruled to sustain the original verdict, forbidding Canxing to use names such as "China's Good Voice" and "Voice of China" as well as relevant trademarks in promotion, audition, advertising and show production.
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