Court Orders Deletion of 'Blaze Baseball' Videos, Recommends Settlement
The copyright dispute between JTBC and Studio C1 is intensifying.
At the heart of the issue are the entertainment programs 'Strongest Baseball' and 'Blaze Baseball.' Both are reality entertainment shows centered around baseball.
JTBC has taken legal action, claiming that 'Blaze Baseball' imitates 'Strongest Baseball.'
On October 12th, the 60th Civil Division of the Seoul Central District Court issued a settlement recommendation, ordering the complete deletion of all 'Blaze Baseball'-related videos produced by Studio C1 and prohibiting future postings. This decision takes effect on January 1, 2026.
The court specified that Studio C1 must remove all content related to 'Blaze Baseball' – including full episodes, trailers, and practice videos – from its website and YouTube channel.
Furthermore, the court prohibited the use of the names 'Blaze Baseball' or 'Blaze Fighters' in video titles or team names.
Violation Fine of ₩100 Million Per Day: Strict Sanctions
A notable aspect of this decision is the indirect compulsory fine imposed for violations.
The court stated that if Studio C1 fails to comply with the court's decision and maintains or reposts the videos, they must pay JTBC ₩100 million per day in copyright infringement damages.
This indicates that the court views the copyright infringement as a 'serious violation' and is sending a strong warning.
Such a high amount is uncommon in copyright disputes, demonstrating the seriousness of the matter and JTBC's strong commitment to protecting its copyright.
Studio C1 Files Objection, Refuses to Accept Decision
However, Studio C1 did not readily comply.
Utilizing the provision that allows for objections within two weeks of the court's settlement recommendation, they formally filed an objection on October 27th.
If the objection is accepted, the case will undergo a retrial, and a new final decision will be made.
Studio C1 has remained tight-lipped, stating, "We have no comment as the trial is ongoing."
It appears they are internally reorganizing their legal response strategy.
JTBC Insists on Copyright Infringement
JTBC is maintaining a firm stance.
A JTBC representative told Xportsnews, "The copyright infringement of 'Strongest Baseball' by 'Blaze Baseball' is clear,"
"Practices that engage in unfair competition by infringing on the rights of others must be eradicated," they emphasized.
'Strongest Baseball' has been a popular entertainment program since its first broadcast in 2022, featuring the touching stories of former professional baseball players returning to the field.
In contrast, 'Blaze Baseball,' produced with a similar concept, has faced criticism from viewers who noted its striking similarities.
JTBC's argument focuses not only on the similarity of the program name or concept but also on the significant overlap in format, production style, and composition ideas.
Fate of 'Blaze Baseball': A Turning Point in Copyright Disputes?
This case extends beyond a simple dispute between entertainment programs and could set a new standard for copyright protection in the domestic content industry.
With the rapid increase in content consumption via YouTube and OTT platforms, the boundaries between ideas and formats are becoming blurred, but there are few cases where a court has specifically sanctioned a 'similar program' like this.
The outcome of the retrial is expected to significantly impact the fate of 'Blaze Baseball' and the future direction of similar content production.
Industry attention is focused on the outcome of the protracted battle between JTBC and Studio C1.
Source :https://blog.naver.com/plug_and_play_life/224056667091
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