Taiwan novelist wins plagiarism case against mainland scriptwriter

A still photo of Mei Hua Lao (Plum Blossom Scar,) a television series that aired in 1993 which novelist Chiung Yao accuses mainland scripwriter Yu Zheng of plagiarizing. [Photo/Agencies]

In her complaint, Chiung Yao said the defendants had gained huge profits from plagiarizing her works. Meanwhile, she has been writing a new script based on the story of Mei Hua Lao, but the plagiarism has become an obstacle for the shooting of her new TV series and caused her emotional damage.

According to her indictment, Chiung Yao asked Yu and relative television companies to stop broadcasting The Palace: The Lost Daughter on both TV and the Internet, or releasing any copies of the TV series. She asked Yu to make a public apology. The defendant has also been asked to cover all the plaintiff's legal fees.

The high-profile showdown has drawn wide discussion and massive media attention from the mainland and Taiwan. Yu denies the plagiarism, saying he is a fan of Chiung with no intention of angering her.

Days after the hearings, more than 100 Chinese screenwriters voiced support for Chiung by signing a joint declaration with a list of their names and posting it on Weibo, saying they condemn all forms of plagiarism and look forward to justice in the case.

Chiung, a household name in China, has produced a number of popular romance novels and TV series.

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Still photos of 'The Palace: The Lost Daughter'