Rerun for play after copyright dispute
A stage play that was accused of infringing the copyright of a classic Japanese television series is staging a rerun in Shanghai this month after resolving the dispute.
Tokyo Love Story was adapted from a series of the same name by Fuji TV without authorisation, the Japanese station said last year. But Fuji TV now says the copyright dispute with Shanghai Jinhui Art Communication has been resolved.
The theatre troupe is rehearsing for another run of the play.
A Fuji TV spokeswoman said: 'The upcoming rerun of the stage version of Tokyo Love Story has been officially licensed to Jinhui.'
The television drama, which in turn is based on a graphic novel, consisted of 11 episodes and one special. It aired in Tokyo in 1991, became an instant hit and Star Chinese Channel broadcast it in Taiwan a year later. Hong Kong was quickly swept up in the story about three childhood friends in their 20s trying to find love and work in Tokyo. The drama aired on the mainland in 1995.
Wu Rongjing , who is producing the play, said: 'We have paid reasonable fees to Fuji TV and the original comic's author.
'They are now supporting our play, which will be staged in Shanghai ... and after that probably around the country.'
He said the language gap might have played a role in the mix-up last year. 'There was a communication problem between us and the middleman,' Wu said. 'He told us that Fuji TV and the author felt OK about our stage adaption.
'After receiving the lawyer's letter from Fuji TV when our play was staged in November, we sent one of our senior managers to Japan to apologise to Fuji TV and the author.'
The play runs from July 10 to 14 at Shanghai's Lyceum Theatre.
Wu said the theatre group was planning to apply to include the play among activities in the city to celebrate the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Japan.
