Mnet asks media outlets to refrain from referring to China's 'Idol Producer' as the Chinese 'Produce 101'

AKP STAFF

Representatives from Mnet continued to address the ongoing struggles involving China's blatant plagiarism of Korean variety shows, without a proper license and without any proper consequences.

Currently, iQiyi is airing what many have labeled as the Chinese version of 'Produce 101', titled 'Idol Producer'. iQiyi is also the broadcasting station which plagiarized Mnet's 'Show Me The Money' with 'Rap of China' last year.

In addition to their previous statement regarding 'Idol Producer', which stressed that the Chinese program is not a licensed, alternative version of 'Produce 101', Mnet said, "It is incorrect to call 'Idol Producer' the Chinese version of 'Produce 101'. 'Produce 101' is a distinct and unique property of Mnet only, and the copyrights belonging to its creator must be protected."

Regarding 'Idol Producer' copying every aspect of 'Produce 101' throughout its 90-minute broadcast, Mnet noted, "It is the same thing as 'Produce 101' except for the Chinese title, and it seems they are receiving a lot of attention as well as high viewer ratings from Chinese viewers."

While Mnet failed to take legal measures after the unlicensed reproduction of 'Show Me The Money', they are currently looking for various methods to respond to 'Idol Producer'. The broadcasting station added, "There are sensitive components to plagiarizing broadcast content. We are currently looking over various possible actions, including legal action and a more stern statement on our part, against iQiyi."

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