制作方Studio C1表示，针对JTBC等提起的著作权侵权及不正当竞争行为临时禁令上诉诉讼将于11月19日开庭审理，starnewskorea.com reported.
Seoul High Court Sets November 19 Hearing Date
The Seoul High Court’s 4th Civil Division is scheduled to hold a hearing on November 19, 2025, concerning an appeal filed by production company Studio C1 against broadcaster JTBC. The legal dispute centers on preliminary injunctions seeking to prohibit copyright infringement and unfair competition related to the sports variety program Flame Baseball (火焰棒球). The upcoming hearing follows a February ruling by the Seoul Central District Court’s 60th Civil Division, which dismissed Studio C1’s objection to an earlier injunction decision. Studio C1 immediately filed an appeal upon receiving the dismissal.
Copyright Dispute Over The Strongest Baseball Roots
The core conflict stems from a television production split between the two entities. Studio C1 previously produced Strongest Baseball (最强棒球) under contract with JTBC, launching the real sports entertainment show in June 2022 to feature retired professional baseball players forming a team. After more than two years on air, Studio C1 exited the project following a breakdown in relations with the broadcaster, taking core cast members including Lee Dae-ho, Park Yong-taek, and Jeong Geun-woo to launch Flame Baseball. JTBC subsequently reorganized its own broadcast, replacing the production team and cast, and returning with a new season in September featuring former KT Wiz manager Lee Jong-beom as head coach and a new team name, the Breakers.
Court Prohibits Flame Baseball for Unfair Competition
In December 2025, the trial court sided with JTBC, ruling that producing and transmitting Flame Baseball constituted unfair competition under Article 2, Item 1 of the Unfair Competition Prevention Act by implying it was a continuation of Strongest Baseball. The court prohibited the production, sale, and distribution of related video works under the “Flame Baseball” title and the team name 불꽃파이터즈 (Flame Fighters). In response to the judicial orders, Studio C1 removed full-length feature videos from its official YouTube channel, though the company asserted it would continue producing a second season under the premise that the injunction was temporary. JTBC issued statements condemning the continued production efforts, warning that any new season releases would prompt immediate legal action and strict scrutiny during the primary lawsuit.
November 19 Preliminary Injunction Appeal Hearing
The Seoul High Court 4th Civil Division hearing on November 19, 2025.
