A LAWSUIT filed by popular Chinese folk singer Li Zhi against Shenzhen-based Internet giant Tencent and five other entertainment companies for violation of Li’s IPR was recently heard at Nanshan District Court, the Shenzhen Special Zone Daily reported yesterday. The well-known singer told the newspaper that the defendants, including Tencent and the other entertainment companies, used his musical piece, “Sky City,” on a variety show jointly produced under their names without his authorization. The music video was later widely broadcast on many online media platforms, garnering over half a billion hits, which infringed on a variety of Li’s legal rights related to IPR. Li requested the defendants immediately remove the work from any unauthorized platforms and issue a public apology, and claimed economic losses of 1,055,380 yuan (US$153,675). The report said this is a typical case among disputes over music copyright and has attracted a lot of attention. During the hearing, both sides engaged in fierce debates over IPR infringement and the appropriate penalty. No judgements have yet been made. (Wang Jingli) |