Beijing-based company Beijing Jiebao Interactive Technology has filed a lawsuit against Chinese search engine Zhongsou.com, accusing the latter of violating its right as the sole online distributor of the film "The Promise".

Jiebao is asking Zhongsou to pay more than CNY1.18 million in compensation.

Beijing Jiebao states in court documents that it has been exclusively authorized to distribute "The Promise" online from January 1, 2006 to April 1, 2006. However, since the film's debut in December 2005, Zhongsou.com has been posting a DVD version of the film on its search page for users to download.

A representative from Zhongsou.com has admitted that they provided a downloading tool on its web page, but they denied that the film link is provided by themselves.

The case is being processed by the court and a verdict should be reached within two months.