Chinese actress Zhao Liying is taking legal action against Hongguo Short Drama, a popular short video platform, over alleged infringement of her portrait rights. The operating entity behind Hongguo Short Drama, Beijing Bimo Liuxiang Technology Co., Ltd., faces a lawsuit filed by the actress, with the court date set for November 10, 2026, at the Mentougou District People’s Court in Beijing.
Legal Proceedings Initiated
The lawsuit, involving a dispute over portrait rights, names Beijing Douyin Information Service Co., Ltd. and Beijing Bimo Liuxiang Technology Co., Ltd. as defendants, along with an individual named Shi MouLun. This legal challenge highlights growing concerns about the unauthorized use of celebrity likenesses in the rapidly expanding short video and digital content landscape.
Beijing Bimo Liuxiang Technology Co., Ltd., established in July 2021 with a registered capital of one million yuan, operates under the umbrella of Beijing Douyin Information Service Co., Ltd. Its business scope encompasses a range of media production and distribution activities, including broadcast and television program production, drama production, internet information services, and film distribution. The company is known for its short drama app, Hongguo Short Drama.
Allegations and Potential Damages
While media reports have circulated suggesting a claim of 810,000 yuan, the exact amount sought in this specific lawsuit has not been officially disclosed in the court announcement. There are indications that this figure might pertain to a different, separate infringement case, underscoring the complexity and potential for multiple legal challenges in cases of this nature. The platform’s recent announcement regarding AI-generated virtual images also brings attention to the evolving nature of content creation and intellectual property rights.
Industry Concerns Over Copyright and Likeness
This legal action by Zhao Liying is not an isolated incident reflecting broader industry anxieties. In 2021, Zhao Liying, alongside 514 other industry professionals including actress Yang Mi, co-signed an Initiative emphasizing the critical need for effective copyright protection of film and television content to ensure the industry’s sustained growth and vitality.
The Hongguo Short Drama platform, through its creator center, recently released an announcement on November 9th regarding the launch of its “AI Drama Virtual Image Creation and Confirmation Capabilities.” This new feature allows creators to generate virtual characters for AI-driven dramas. The announcement specified that character likenesses could originate from authorized real individuals, licensed intellectual property, or original creations. It also acknowledged that such creations involve various rights, including portrait rights and artistic design rights. To assist creators, the platform now offers tools for uploading ownership documentation, aiming to preemptively address potential copyright and likeness issues that could affect the publication of their works.
The lawsuit against Hongguo Short Drama serves as a significant marker in the ongoing dialogue surrounding intellectual property, celebrity rights, and the ethical considerations within the burgeoning digital entertainment sector, particularly concerning the use of AI and user-generated content.
