Core 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].

Core Viewpoint - The rise of micro-dramas has significantly impacted the online audiovisual industry, but copyright issues such as plagiarism and unauthorized adaptations have become increasingly prominent [1][4]. Group 1: Copyright Issues - The short drama brand Tinghuadao issued a statement claiming that "The Fireworks of the World" plagiarized its copyrighted work "Home and Away" for commercial gain, highlighting nine instances of "high similarity" between the two works [1]. - The main forms of piracy in the short drama market are unauthorized adaptations and remakes, with Tinghuadao previously addressing infringement through negotiations with companies and platforms [1][4]. - Following the copyright claim, "The Fireworks of the World" was removed from relevant platforms and applications [1]. Group 2: Legal Perspectives - Experts emphasize that determining infringement requires comprehensive comparisons of scripts and dialogues, as mere visual comparisons are insufficient [4][5]. - The threshold for recognizing substantial similarity is generally set at 70%, while 30% to 70% indicates partial copying, and below 30% is typically not considered infringement [4]. - The difficulty in proving infringement is compounded by the fast-paced nature of short dramas, which often leads to challenges in gathering evidence and lengthy court proceedings [4][5]. Group 3: Originality and Expression - The originality of short drama content is a critical factor in assessing copyright claims, with comparisons focusing on main storylines, character settings, and narrative structures [5][6]. - Elements such as dialogue, visual presentation, and camera work are also essential in determining whether a work possesses unique expression [6]. - Many common themes and settings in short dramas may fall into the public domain, complicating the protection of certain narrative elements under copyright law [5][6].