Xinhua news reports that the China Disabled Person’s Art Performing Troupe, which scored a big hit at the Spring Festival, is accusing other troupes of copying its renowned “Thousand-hand Guanyin”.
Since [the Spring Festival Gala], some local troupes have staged similar performances, allegedly infringing on the CDPAPT’s intellectual property.
Some Chinese scholars of Buddhist art, however, doubt the authenticity and legality of the troupe’s copyright on the dance.
At the press conference, CDPAPT leaders said the troupe does not want to monopolize the dance, but urged all those who wish to perform it to request permission formally from its co-owners, the troupe and artistic director Zhang Jigang.
In other news, the group announced that apart from public service messages, it would not sully the beauty of its dance by appearing in any advertisements. Since the Spring Festival it has received offers from more than 20 companies.
Xinhua article is here, underwear advertisement from the Xinhua article here
Danwei’s earlier post on the “Thousand-hand Guanyin” is here.