Chinese plagiarism of Korean TV programs is rampant: lawmaker

SEOUL, Oct. 13 (Yonhap) -- Chinese televisions' plagiarism of popular Korean TV shows is prevalent, a lawmaker said Thursday.

A total of 11 suspected cases of plagiarism by Chinese broadcasters have been reported from 2014 to September 2016, Rep. Kim Byung-wook of the main opposition Minjoo Party of Korea, said, citing data from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Beijing office of the Korea Creative Content Agency.

The figure is more than half the number of programs whose formats were officially exported to China.

Victims of the Chinese rip-offs include MBC TV's popular variety program "Infinite Challenge," tvN's "Sisters over Flowers," and KBS TV's "One Day Two Nights."

"Neglecting such reckless illegalities could create an obstacle for future exports to China as well as the development of Korea's show productions," the legislator said, calling for proper measures from the government.

yujeoungkr@yna.co.kr
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