Content Producers to Sue Tudou for Copyright Infringement
Sohu IT, 1/05/09
Over 80 copyright holders including video portal Joy.cn, film distributor PolyBona Film, record label Orange Sky Entertainment, Beijing J A Media, Emperor Entertainment Group, and In Look Media have formed an anti-piracy alliance, announcing at the same time that the group is currently collecting evidence to be used in a legal suit against video-sharing site Tudou.
In May 2008, Joy.cn filed suit against Tudou for unauthorized use of its video content, which Tudou resolved in November with an out-of-court settlement that included compensation to Joy.cn for economic losses stemming from copyright infringement. In 2008, Tudou was repeatedly brought to court on copyright infringement charges for the unauthorized use of hundreds of films and television series, in cases involving a combined sum of nearly RMB 10 mln.
Tudou is currently investigating possible approaches to address its copyright infringement issues. In September last year, it launched its Hei Dou ("Black Bean") HD channel dedicated to broadcasting authorized content. Gary Wang, CEO of Tudou, stated that the site is now developing a new copyright verification system that will address copyright issues stemming from the upload of unauthorized content by users.
Keywords: PolyBona Film Orange Sky J.A. Media In Look Media content copyright Emperor Entertainment Group Gary Wang HD Internet Joy.cn Tudou verification IPR infringement litigation online video law Hei Dou