Tudou and Youku Fight Over Copyright

The two largest online video sites in China, Youku and Tudou are embroiled in a copyright dispute, both accusing each other of using each others exclusive content. In the latest punch thrown, Tudou is suing Youku for 150 million yuan in damages over pirating exclusive rights to Kangxi Lai Le, a popular Taiwanese entertainment show.

Subsequently Youku also announced that Tudou was pirating their content such as Korean variety shows produced by SBS, and Chinese TV series and more than 60 other TV series. However Tudou claims that for the content they did not pay for, they have already deleted it after receiving copyright infringement notice in September and December. Yet for the Korean content, they are claiming to have legitimately purchased the license until December 31 2011. But Youku does not believe these claims and has also announced its decision to initiate proceedings against Tudou.

For a long time, content in China has been stolen, copied, ripped by any means. However, now that big media businesses are built on original content, it is becoming more important for them to protect. This legal dispute between Youku and Tudou could be part of the new undercurrent of copyright enforcement in China; a change that will have repercussions for many industries from publishing to music to movies in the future.

Related posts:

  • Youku Extends Financial Lead Over Tudou
  • Youku acquiring Tudou rumor signals cost and copyright problems in online video market
  • Youku, Tudou and Sohu Lead Chinas Online Video Advertising Market



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