COL(SZ:300364) Guan Cha Zhe Wang·2025-08-05 07:13Core Viewpoint - The news discusses the controversy surrounding the short drama platform ReelShort, which has been accused of systematic plagiarism by other industry players, leading to significant backlash and potential legal ramifications [1][9][10]. Group 1: Company Overview - ReelShort is a short drama platform developed by Maple Studio, a subsidiary of Chinese company Zhongwen Online, focusing on the overseas market, particularly in Europe and the United States [6]. - The platform has achieved significant success, previously topping the U.S. entertainment free charts and generating monthly revenues exceeding $10 million [6]. - As of 2024, Zhongwen Online reported a 324% year-on-year revenue increase for its subsidiary Maple Studio, reaching 2.9 billion yuan [13]. Group 2: Industry Dynamics - The short drama industry is facing a crisis of originality, with many companies resorting to plagiarism as a strategy, which has led to collective action against ReelShort [3][10]. - Approximately 90% of short dramas in the overseas market are adaptations of domestic works, with only 10% being original local productions, yet these original works contribute 75%-83% of in-app purchase revenue [7]. - The practice of "palette" plagiarism, where existing successful narratives are closely replicated, is prevalent, allowing companies to minimize production costs and maximize profits [12]. Group 3: Legal and Ethical Concerns - The short drama industry is grappling with significant copyright issues, including vague legal definitions of what constitutes substantial similarity, leading to low success rates in copyright enforcement [14]. - The recent formation of a micro-drama rights protection committee by the China Copyright Association highlights the industry's struggle with copyright infringement and the need for better protection mechanisms [10][11]. - Legal battles in the short drama sector can be lengthy and costly, with international jurisdiction complicating enforcement efforts, particularly when infringement occurs on foreign platforms [15].