Popular celebrity Jay Chou sitting as one of the judges on "The Voice of China." (Photo : Twitter)
All remakes of foreign TV shows in China would no longer air beginning July 1, according to a new directive issued on Monday by the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television (SAPPRFT). However, while TV producers have one more week before the ban takes place, one reality could no longer use the name of the program which is a remake.
The reason why Star China Media could no longer use the name "2016 The Voice of China" is because it would confuse viewers since another local media firm, Zhejiang Tangde, uses “The Voice of China” and it would confuse viewers. It has nothing to do with the SAPPRFT rule but a verdict of the Beijing Intellectual Property Court.
The root of two companies fighting over the same name is the legal problem between Star China and Talpa Media, a Dutch production company which owns “The Voice” trademark and the show format where people who audition are first heard, not seen by celebrity judges, to pass the next stage of screening.
Star China Media, based in Shanghai, was the producer of the shows first four seasons in China. However, when its contract ended in January, Talpa opted to sign a new contract with Zhejiang which produced Seasons 5 to 8 using “The Voice of China” as show title, reported the South China Morning Post.
However, Star China Media nevertheless started holding auditions in November with the aim of airing “2016 The Voice of China,” but the court said otherwise. In favoring Zhejiang, the court said allowing Star China Media to use the name could infringe Zhejiang Tangde’s exclusive license, reported People’s Court Daily.
Star China Media accused Talpa of unilaterally increase the licensing fee of 2 million yuan to several hundred times over, but the Dutch firm denied the charge and accused Star China Media of preparing for Season 5 without a legal contract.
All that, however, may be moot and academic because the SAPPRFT could order Zhejiang also to either reformat the talent search reality show or also change its name.
