Rampant piracy spoils party for China's sci-fi blockbuster

Film's copyright battle puts spotlight on country's lax IP laws

The Wandering Earth's box-office takings hit 3.7 billion yuan (S$745 million) within a fortnight, making the film China's second-highest grossing to date.
The Wandering Earth's box-office takings hit 3.7 billion yuan (S$745 million) within a fortnight, making the film China's second-highest grossing to date. PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
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For administrative manager Lily Liu, catching home-grown sci-fi blockbuster The Wandering Earth at the cinema was the highlight of her Chinese New Year break.

"The special effects were truly stunning, and were nothing like the gimmicky effects in many other domestic films," said Ms Liu, 23. "I'm glad I saw it in the cinema."

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on February 21, 2019, with the headline Rampant piracy spoils party for China's sci-fi blockbuster. Subscribe