MAINLAND legal expert Tao Chenliang welcomed the televising of yesterday's trial, saying it was 'partly a response to criticism of the courts for their perceived hostility to the media'.
But Mr Tao, vice-president of the Institute for Intellectual Property Rights at Shanghai University, said the proceedings were 'not so adverse'. He criticised the judges for not allowing the two sides to question each other more strongly.
The judgment found VCD manufacturer Taida had to ensure its contract with the Beijing Tiandu Film Agency did not harm the interests of other parties, in this case the film producers.
The finding against Taida 'was an excellent example of a company being found guilty even though it committed the wrong due to lack of knowledge', said Mr Tao.
Tiandu is connected to the China Audio Visual Production Company, which can acquire film rights independently. The court effectively found the company wrong in transferring its rights, via Tiandu, to manufacturers. Those affected by the judgment have 15 days to appeal.