CHINA TOPIX

11/21/2024 10:28:27 pm

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'The Voice' Creator Talpa Global Not Leaving China Despite Trademark Dispute with Star China

'The Voice' maker Talpa global plans to expand and explore the Chinese market despite its trademark dispute against Star China.

(Photo : YouTube Screenshot) 'The Voice' maker Talpa Global plans to expand and explore the Chinese market despite its trademark dispute against Star China.

Dutch TV producer Talpa Global said it plans to stay in China despite its heated trademark conflict over hit show The Voice of China.

Talpa said it has collaborated with Talent International Film Co. Ltd. for the upcoming season of The Voice of China. Moreover, it will be filing cases against its previous partner for illegally using the segment's show and logo for another show.

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Amid the trademark dispute, Talpa CEO Pim Schmitz revealed that this will not result to any changes to its business plan as this is just "part of the business." In fact, the company even plans to expand and explore the country's "relatively young entertainment market."

Talpa is also planning to co-produce original programs specifically designed to suit the palate of the Chinese audience.

The Voice of China was originally a joint venture between Talpa and Star China. It began in 2012 and produced four seasons. However, its relationship turned sour as the two parties cannot seem to agree about license fees and other terms.

Star China, on the one hand, accused Talpa of asking an extremely high price for its fifth season, prompting it to create its own version of the show. Talpa argued that it owned the copyright and deemed Star China responsible for declining to pay a reasonable fee despite the talent show's popularity.

"This show is more and more popular every year, it is natural and normal for prices to rise, and no country is an exception," Schmitz said in a report by The Straits Times. "However, we found that our partner, in making the terms of a contract proposal for the fifth season, wanted to pay a fee lower than for the second season."

With the legal case on hand, the supposed fifth season now bears a different logo and is now entitled China Super Vocal. It is unclear, however, whether the suit will affect the talent show's popularity as it also struggles to compete with a number of local and foreign variety shows.

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