Beijing: Tech-giant Apple has been sued in China by the
broadcasting regulator of the country over the rights of a 20-year-old propaganda
film. It is only in the last week when a Beijing court had alleged that Apple
has ‘infringed its exclusive online rights to broadcast a
film that depicts Chinese fighting against Japanese soldiers in northern China
in the early 1930s,’ sources said.
After India, China is one of the most crucial markets of
Apple in Asia.
Reports are that China's State Administration of Press,
Publication, Radio, Film and Television (SAPPRFT) has said that Apple has
violated its exclusive online broadcasting rights of Xuebo Dixiao, a 1994 movie, showcasing the 1930’s war and violence.
The Chinese title of the film translates’ blood -spatter our strong enemies’.
Apple had made the movie accessible to its users by
allowing accesses on the ‘Youku HD’ app, downloadable using Apple’s online
store. Youku Tudou is known as China’s YouTube and was acquired by Alibaba for
$4.8 billion last year.
Also, SAPPRFT had noted that Apple is likely to face huge
financial loss due to the case. The broadcasting regulator has demanded an immediately
prevention over the streaming the film, and pay CNY 50,000 in damages.
Reports are that this is the third time this year when
Apple faced legal obstacles in China. In April, China suspended Apple’s iBooks
and iTunes Movies, following an order by the Chinese regulators.
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