JTBC Files Criminal Complaint Against "Strongest Baseball" Production Company

▲ This image of popular baseball variety show "A Clean Sweep (Strongest Baseball)" is provided by JTBC. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

SEOUL, April 29 (Yonhap) -- JTBC has filed a criminal complaint against production company Studio C1 and producer Jang Si-won over intellectual property disputes related to the popular baseball variety show "A Clean Sweep (Strongest Baseball)."

JTBC said Tuesday it filed the complaint on Sunday, accusing Studio C1 and Jang of copyright infringement, trademark violation, breach of trust, destruction of electronic records, and obstruction of business.

The broadcaster alleged that Studio C1 infringed on its intellectual property rights by organizing live events based on a similar concept under the title "Blazing Baseball," and that Jang unilaterally determined the salary of a director without a shareholders' resolution.

JTBC also claimed that after the production contract ended, Studio C1 deleted files related to "A Clean Sweep" from JTBC's servers without permission.

"A Clean Sweep," which features retired baseball legends competing against amateur teams, has been one of JTBC's flagship sports entertainment shows since 2022.

After conflicts arose over production cost issues, JTBC announced plans to produce season 4 with a new production team, while Studio C1 launched a separate baseball show titled "Blazing Baseball" with the same cast. JTBC plans to air "A Clean Sweep 2025" starting this September.

(C) Yonhap News Agency. All Rights Reserved