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Chinese 'Ultraman' sequel angers Japanese copyright holder

Legal dispute over international rights dates back to release of 2017 movie

Ultraman, who is used to protecting the planet and entertaining kids, finds himself at the center of an intellectual property dispute between his Japanese copyright holder and a Chinese movie studio. (Photo by Kotaro Igarashi)

GUANGZHOU -- A Chinese movie studio has produced and released a film featuring the Ultraman character, deepening a legal fight with the superhero's Japanese copyright holder and refocusing the global spotlight on China's attitude toward intellectual property.

Guangzhou BlueArc Culture Communications released the movie on Friday as a sequel to a 2017 film that brought a lawsuit from Japanese film studio Tsuburaya Productions in Shanghai.

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