Convicted of piracy, he sues for defamation

By Chen Qian  |   2008-11-18  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

A MAN serving a jail sentence for selling pirated game software has filed a lawsuit against Shanda Entertainment, claiming the company defamed him by stating he was guilty months before the court had reached a verdict in the case.

The man, surnamed Li, is serving a five-year sentence for selling the pirated software, but he is demanding Shanda give him a public apology and 50,000 yuan (US$7,323) compensation for mental anguish.

The case has been accepted by the Pudong New Area People's Court.

Li told the court he and his three accomplices were found guilty in September while Shanda had announced on its Website that the four admitted guilt as early as March, at a time when prosecutors were still completing their investigation of the case.

Li said in the filing that his reputation should be protected until he is proven guilty. He added that Shanda used a legal term in the announcement that meant Li had been sentenced to death by the court.

Both Li and his family members were scared by Shanda's announcement, his attorney said. His mother-in-law became sick and has been in the hospital ever since, Li said.

He and his accomplices produced pirated game software for the online game "Legend of Mir2," which was developed by Shanda. The pirated software can help players get a higher ranking faster.

They began to sell the pirated software at the end of 2006 and were caught early this year, authorities said.