Studio C1, which has been producing the 'Strong Baseball' series, is pushing ahead with filming with the existing cast and a new program, while JTBC has announced legal action.
A JTBC representative stated on the 14th to Maeil Business Star Today, "We have requested to halt the production and are currently in the process of a lawsuit," adding, "If the production continues, we are considering filing for a preliminary injunction as well."
They further noted, "Even if they proceed with filming and production under a different name, the cast members are continuing the narrative of 'Strong Baseball', so there are concerns about copyright infringement."
'Strong Baseball' is a variety program featuring retired professional baseball legends competing against baseball teams nationwide.
From Season 1 in 2022 to Season 3, the production company Studio C1, led by Director Jang Si-won, produced the show. However, conflicts began when JTBC raised suspicions of duplicate and excessive billing of production costs by Studio C1.
JTBC is preparing to present a new season of 'Strong Baseball' with a new production team as soon as possible. They claimed, "C1 has overbilled production costs by several hundred million won," and asserted, "By pushing ahead with the production of Season 4, they are infringing on the IP rights of Strong Baseball." C1 responded, "Since the post-billing of production costs and actual expense settlement conditions are not in place, excessive billing cannot structurally occur. JTBC's copyright is limited to the footage from Season 3," pointing out that it is a case of intellectual property theft.
C1 is reportedly continuing to film a baseball program titled 'Fire Baseball' with the same cast under a new program name. Last month, they conducted tryouts for new players, and reports have emerged that games will take place at the Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on the 14th and 15th, drawing attention.
[Kim So-yeon, Star Today Reporter]
