Beijing Shijingshan Amusement Park
Beijing Shijingshan Amusement Park (Chinese: 北京石景山游乐园; pinyin: Běijīng Shíjǐngshān Yóulèyuán) is a theme park located in Bajiao, Shijingshan District of Beijing, China. First opened on September 28, 1986, the park is currently owned and operated by the Shijingshan District government.[1] The park is accessible, via the Line 1 of the Beijing Subway, although had its own stop that’s called Bajiao Amusement Park Station (八角游乐园).
Location | 北京石景山路25号, Shijingshan District, Beijing, China |
---|---|
Coordinates | 39.913°N 116.202°E |
Owner | Shijingshan District Government |
General manager | Liu Jingwang (刘景旺 Liú Jǐngwàng) |
Opened | September 28, 1986 |
Website | English website |
Status | Operating |
Copyright infringement controversy
In May 2007, the park was exposed by international media for having made unauthorized use of Japanese and American cartoon characters.[1] According to a report originally broadcast on Fuji TV's FNN News, the park features a castle that resembles Disney's trademark Sleeping Beauty Castle and a structure that looks like Epcot's Spaceship Earth. The park also features a host of costumed characters that look remarkably similar to not only Disney's trademark characters, but also Shrek, Hello Kitty, Doraemon, Bugs Bunny and a number of other trademarked characters.
Park officials denied any wrongdoing. When asked by the FNN News reporter if the characters are related to Disney, the theme park's general manager Liu Jingwang said that their characters are based on Grimm's Fairy Tales.
According to a May 10, 2007, Associated Press report, the park deputy general manager Yin Zhiqiang said that the park's lawyers are in negotiation with The Walt Disney Company. Disney declined to comment directly on this matter.[1]
Between 2010 and 2011, the park was expanded and refurbished. China Daily reports the Disney-themed characters may have been removed from the park.[2]
See also
- Happy Valley – a chain of amusement parks throughout China
References
- McDonald, Joe (2007-05-10). "Beijing park underscores piracy battle, analysts say". CNN. Archived from the original on 2007-05-24. Retrieved 2007-05-10.
- Meigs, Doug (2011-11-30). "Disney goes to war". China Daily. Retrieved 2012-10-28.
External links
- Beijing Shijingshan Amusement Park website (in English) (defunct), (Wayback Machine Link)
- Official website (English) (defunct)
- Beijing's Copycat Disneyland Controversy