China: Publishers ordered to stop selling its version of Beatrix Potter's tale 'Peter Rabbit'

Cincinnati.Com ^ | Jun 23, 2003 | staff writer

[yankeedame]

Jun 23, 9:12 AM EDT

'Peter Rabbit' Caught in Legal Dispute

BEIJING (AP) -- Peter Rabbit has hopped into a Chinese legal dispute.

One of China's leading academic publishers has been ordered by the government to stop selling its version of Beatrix Potter's 1901 tale about the naughty bunny, lawyers said Monday.

The order stems from what a Chinese legal newspaper said is the first dispute of its kind in this country, which often is accused of failing to enforce copyrights and other intellectual property.

The Chinese-language "Tale of Peter Rabbit," released in April by China Social Sciences Press, prompted a complaint by the London firm that holds the trademark to Peter's name and original illustrations.

The State Administration for Industry and Commerce blocked the publisher from distributing 20,000 copies of the book after the protest by Frederick Warne Ltd., a division of Penguin Books.

The Chinese publisher has filed a lawsuit challenging the order....

[Mamzelle]

I thought both the story and the illustrations were long in public domain--of all the copyrights to try to enforce? "Wind in the Willows" and Frances Hodgsen Burnett's books are also in public domain. Mickey's ears, however, are not and should be...

[wimpycat]

Sorry about the disturbance ma'am. This Limey is obviously upset that his dole check is late. He escaped early this morning.

[Charles Martel]

If they dislike the Chinese version, one wonders what they think of THIS version...