Writer Sues Over Huang Xiaoming-Produced Film 'The Last Truth', Alleging It Copied His Massage-Parlor Murder Story

Lawyer and writer Cai Moyan says "The Last Truth" (2023), the first film Huang Xiaoming produced and also starred in, copied his 2018 nonfiction piece about a murder case at a 15-yuan massage parlor, China Newsweek reported on October 17. A copyright case was filed in September at Beijing's Dongcheng District court against several of the film's production companies. Cai says the producers negotiated for adaptation rights in 2020–2021, then walked away; he is seeking about 2 million yuan, an apology and removal of the film. Producer Liao Shanmin says the works are not substantially similar and reportedly offered only 50,000 yuan as a settlement. The case is still pending.

*Summarized from public reports; infringement is for the court to decide.*