MBC Wins Landmark Copyright Case Against BiliBili: What This Means for Content Creators in Asia

MBC logo / Photo = provided by MBC

[Sports Today reporter Song O-jeong] MBC prevailed in a copyright infringement damages suit against a major Chinese video-platform operator, according to a final judgment issued by a Chinese court.

Bilibili, a leading Chinese video platform built on user-generated content (UGC), averaged about 366 million monthly active users (MAU) in the fourth quarter of 2025. The platform drew scrutiny in South Korea after domestic broadcast content was leaked there and became the subject of a National Assembly audit.

In 2021, MBC filed a damages claim in a Chinese court over the platform’s unauthorized distribution of its broadcast content. A trial court found the platform liable for infringement, but MBC appealed, arguing the damages award did not adequately reflect the harm.

The Jiangsu Higher People’s Court partially modified the trial court’s judgment. It held the platform operator liable for aiding and abetting infringement, finding that the operator was aware of widespread distribution of infringing content yet failed to take appropriate measures. The court significantly increased the damages award. Under China’s two-instance appellate system, the decision became final upon issuance.

The court concluded that the material had high public recognition and commercial value and had circulated on the platform for an extended period involving thousands of items. Given those facts, the level of care required of the platform operator could not be low. The court also noted evidence that the platform’s operational features — including algorithmic recommendations and channel organization — materially facilitated the spread of infringing content, undermining any claim that the operator was merely a neutral intermediary.

The ruling is a concrete example of China implementing its obligations as a party to the Berne Convention and the TRIPS Agreement to afford foreign copyright holders protection equivalent to that afforded to domestic rights-holders. It also sets clear limits on the common practice of major platforms attempting to evade liability by invoking the “user-uploaded” format.

MBC said it will use the ruling as momentum to intensify legal action against illegal distribution on overseas platforms. The broadcaster added that if identical or similar infringement schemes recur, it will seek progressively stricter legal findings on platform operator liability.

An MBC spokesperson said, \”This ruling makes clear that platform operators cannot reap significant profits from exercising substantial influence over content distribution while evading responsibility. We will hold those who unlawfully distribute our content accountable, both at home and abroad, and pursue all necessary legal measures.\”

[Sports Today reporter Song O-jeong ent@stoo.com]
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