JTBC files complaint against producer Jang Si-won over 'A Clean Sweep' rights dispute

JTBC is in a legal dispute with Studio C1 and producer Jang Si-won over intellectual property rights related to "A Clean Sweep." Courtesy of JTBC

JTBC has filed a criminal complaint against Studio C1 and producer Jang Si-won, citing continued infringement of the broadcaster’s intellectual property rights related to the program "A Clean Sweep."

JTBC said Tuesday that it lodged a formal complaint accusing Studio C1 and Jang of violating copyright law and trademark law, breach of trust, damaging electronic records and obstructing business operations.

According to JTBC, the copyright violation stems from Studio C1 producing a sequel series with a format similar to "A Clean Sweep" Seasons 1 to 3, for which JTBC holds full intellectual property rights.

"A Clean Sweep" is a baseball competition program where amateur players face off against legendary professional athletes in a championship to crown the ultimate winning team.

The broadcaster also accused Studio C1 of producing "Kim Sung-keun’s Winter Break," a spin-off resembling "A Clean Sweep," and providing it to another streaming platform without authorization, which it said is an infringement of JTBC’s proprietary rights.

The complaint also charges trademark infringement, alleging that "(Coach) Kim Sung-keun’s Winter Break" used and exposed the "Strongest Baseball" trademark without JTBC’s consent.

JTBC also accused Jang of breach of trust, claiming that while operating Studio C1, he arbitrarily set director compensation without board approval, thereby gaining personal financial benefits and causing damage to the company.

Producer Jang Si-won / Courtesy of JTBC

Jang's rebuttal

"If the idea for a baseball program named 'A Clean Sweep' qualifies for copyright protection, that copyright belongs to its creator, Studio C1," Jang posted on his social media account on Tuesday.

"The rights JTBC claims to hold are limited to the copyright for the filmed footage, which was transferred from the original copyright holder, Studio C1, under the co-production agreement for the purpose of delivering the recordings for OTT sales and retransmissions," he added.

Jang said that JTBC has engaged in various unlawful obstruction tactics, involving both top-level executives and working-level staff over the past two months.

"These include interference with venue bookings, implicit threats to other channels, attempts to sway key cast and crew members, unauthorized entry into the editing room and property damage — each of which constitutes a serious legal violation," he said.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.