A Beijing court has started handling a copyright lawsuit by the Dutch producer of hit talent show "The Voice of Holland" against two Chinese companies.
Talpa filed the suit against the Shanghai Mengxiangqiangyin Cultural and Broadcast Company and the Beijing Zhengyitianxia Cultural and Media Company for illegally using its logos and graphics. It is demanding three million yuan ($462,000) in damages, according to a statement issued on Thursday by the Chaoyang District People's Court.
Mengxiangqiangyin is an affiliate of media firm Star China, which partnered with Talpa to produce earlier seasons of "The Voice of China."
Mengxiangqiangyin and Zhengyitianxia are working together on the latest season of "The Voice of China." Talpa alleges they illegally used its "The Voice of..." logos in auditions nationwide from October.
"The Voice of Holland" first ran in 2010. With a concept involving celebrity performing artists coaching amateur talent through a series of contests, it is considered one of the most successful ever TV formats.
Season four of "The Voice of China" aired in 2015. It was a huge nationwide hit.
