You may have seen this ad, from the Chinese mobile vendor OnePlus featuring its brand ambassador Amitabh Bachchan promoting OnePlus 3T. The 60-second long TVC ad highlights a game show titled ‘Best Smartphone Contest’. In it, the Big B acts as quiz master asking questions to comedian Rohan Joshi who takes up the role of the contestant. The best part, you can also participate in the content and win Rs 1 crore.
If this rings a bell, then the ad is way similar to popular quiz show Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) aired on Sony. Sony Pictures Network India (SPN) owns the full rights to the show KBC. Hence, even for using the show format, every company is expected to take prior permission from the company. But unfortunately, it seems OnePlus didn’t do that and now need to pull the ad campaign.
SPN has filed a copyright infringement petition against OnePlus at Delhi High Court over this ad campaign. SPN says the TVC ad is based on its popular TV show KBC and it’s a breach of its intellectual property. Based on the plea, Delhi High Court has already issued a stay order on the OnePlus ad campaign.
“The defendant, their partners, affiliates… are restrained, till the next date of hearing, from broadcasting the impugned advertisement, titled ‘Best Smartphone Contest’, promoting sale of OnePlus 3T on any channel or on print or any other media… ” says the order.
“OnePlus takes intellectual property very seriously. However, as per company policy, we are unable to discuss any ongoing legal matters,” said OnePlus in a statement.
Recently, Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan become the brand ambassador of OnePlus India. As part of the endorsement, OnePlus India came up with the ‘Best Smartphone Contest‘. Participating in the contest you could stand a chance to win Rs 1 crore. Also a chance to meet Amitabh Bachchan in person. Other than that you could also win other exciting prizes like a OnePlus 3T smartphone and Amazon India Gift card.