Scenic area's dispute with 'Transformers 4' goes to court
- By Zhang Rui
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E-mail China.org.cn, April 27, 2016
A local court said yesterday that management of the Wulong Scenic Area in the Chongqing Municipality is suing the filmmakers of the Hollywood blockbuster "Transformers 4" for not following through with a promise to credit the location.
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| A Chongqing local court is hearing arguments from the management of the Wulong Scenic Area suing the "Transformers: Age of Extinction" production companies for not giving credit to the scenic area in the film on April 26, 2016. [Photo / China News Service] |
Chongqing's Third Intermediate People's Court heard the arguments from both sides. The Wulong Karst Tourism Company said they had signed an agreement with Paramount Pictures Corporation and 1905 Internet Technology Co. Ltd, the co-producer and agent in December 2013. In exchange for using the UNESCO World Heritage site for five days and a hefty product placement fee, producers promised to prominently show the words "China Wulong" in the movie "Transformers: Age of Extinction," directed by Michael Bay. However, Paramount did not deliver, reported China News Service.
When Wulong Karst found out, they thought the film production violated the agreement and the scenic area didn't earn an expected return from the top grossing film. In July of 2014, the company filed a lawsuit asking Paramount to rake remedial actions, seeking compensation of more than 20 million yuan (US$3.08 million) from Paramount and 1905 Internet Technology Co. Ltd.
But in March, 1905 Internet Technology Co. Ltd, a movie website owned by China Movie Channel, countersued the Wulong Karst for an unpaid contract balance and overdue fine, which totaled 12.4 million yuan (US$1.91 million). In the same month, Wulong Karst filed a motion to modify the first request in its complaint to "terminate the contract."
Attorneys for Paramount Pictures said that the brand "China Wulong" was not shown in the worldwide theatrical version of the film, and the credit issue is just a contract issue. The company has fulfilled other contract obligations and didn't make a breach of contract, so the plaintiff's current accusations are groundless.
1905 Internet Technology Co. Ltd. also argued that they have added "China Wulong" to other versions of "Transformers 4," including the DVD version and online version, after Wulong Karst first filed the lawsuit, so now their motion to terminate the contract is unfounded.
Attorneys for Wulong Karst also addressed 1905's countersuing by saying that 1905 has its own problems in making contract payment conditions invalid, so they have the right to refuse to pay the overdue balance.
The court heard all the evidence and arguments in six hours and will reach a verdict on another date.
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