TOKYO – Fuji TV is demanding an end to all copyright infringements related to an unauthorized stage version of its classic TV drama Tokyo Love Story currently playing in Shanghai.
Japan’s biggest TV net was tipped off on November 8 from a business contact in the Chinese city that a local company, Jinhui Art was staging an unlicensed version of Tokyo Love Story and claiming the production was “Co-sponsored by Fuji Television Network” and “Supported by The Japanese Consulate in Shanghai.”
“Posters promoting the event were plastered all over the city with Fuji’s credits on them,” a Fuji TV staffer told The Hollywood Reporter.
The Japanese Consulate protested to Jinhui Art, which had removed all references to the consulate and Fuji TV from its website by November 10.
However, Fuji sent a cease and desist letter to Jinhui on November 14, “demanding that Jinhui cease and desist all manners of copyright infringement, to terminate usage of Fuji’s name, and giving the false impression that Fuji is involved in the production.”
Tokyo Love Story peaked with over 30% ratings and made a star of leading man Yuji Oda when it aired on Fuji TV in 1991. The Shanghai play was billed as a 20th anniversary production.
The 12-part series was broadcast in China in 1995, and became a huge hit there too.
Fuji TV is asking for a formal explanation of Jinhui Art’s actions, and says it will consider further legal action depending on the response from the Shanghai company.
Twitter: @GavinJBlair
