2011 Top 10 IP Cases in China’s Software Industry:the seventh

Key point: IP issues in GEM Listing

17 Lawsuits over Copyright Infringement in 2011 May Harm Baofeng.com’s IPO

Case summary: According to the GEM IPO report released by the China Securities Regulatory Commission in April 2012, there are a total of 5 Chinese Internet companies seeking for GEM IPO, including Baofeng.com, which once shocked the whole industry by being sued by four companies within a single day in 2009. According to reports, last year alone 17 lawsuits were filed against Baofeng.com. It seems that the IPO road of Baofeng.com will not be smooth. Right holders, including Shanxi Film Studio Co., Ltd., Beijing Hualu Baina Film & TV Co., Ltd., Poly Film Investment Co., Ltd., etc..., sued Baofeng.com for providing online broadcast service of films and TV series for commercial purpose without legal authorization. Since Baofeng.com has repeatedly infringed upon their copyright, many right holders required that Baofeng.com should eliminate the infringing contents and pay due compensation. Baofeng.com compensated the right holders for more than half a million yuan for unauthorized contents in 2011 alone.
 
Expert comments: Today, the copyright issue may become a major barrier in Baofeng’s road of GEM IPO.