CROWD Lawsuit Opens: Jia Ning Presents Recording Claiming Andy Said Channel Was Hers

(Central News Agency, reporter Cao Yayan, New Taipei, July 7) Internet celebrity Andy and his ex-girlfriend Jia Ning are embroiled in a dispute over channel finances, with Jia Ning's family also facing charges in the Crowdsourcing Company case. The New Taipei District Court summoned Andy and Jia Ning to court today. Jia Ning's lawyer presented a transcript of a breakup recording, stating that Andy had previously said the channel would belong to Jia Ning. Andy firmly denied ever agreeing to this.

YouTuber "Andy Laoshi" (real name Wang Chongrui) accused last year that he and his ex-girlfriend Zhang Jia Ning jointly founded the CROWD channel and entrusted Jia Ning's mother, Zeng Shuhui, to establish Crowdsourcing Entertainment Company. For years, he had never seen the company's accounts and was unaware that the channel's trademark had been registered by Jia Ning's mother in her personal name. After investigation, the New Taipei District Prosecutors Office indicted Jia Ning's family. Zeng Shuhui, the person in charge of Crowdsourcing, was indicted on charges of business embezzlement, breach of trust, and tax evasion. Jia Ning was indicted on suspicion of unauthorized modification of computer records for allegedly changing the channel password without authorization.

The New Taipei District Court summoned Zhang Jia Ning, mother Zeng Shuhui, father Zhang Guolong, younger sister Zhang Jiayun, Andy, and accountant Ms. Xie to court today for cross-examination. In court, Andy recounted the process of establishing the channel, stating that about ten years ago, he and his girlfriend Jia Ning began filming videos documenting their lives on a YouTube channel. Once advertising revenue started coming in, they entrusted Zeng Shuhui to establish Crowdsourcing Company to handle tax matters and other issues.

Andy said that at the time, as he had just entered society and was focused on filming, he did not understand company law and other regulations. Zeng Shuhui said she would be responsible for settling the accounts clearly. Based on trust, he handed over the management to her and did not pay attention to details such as equity distribution. He also handed over bank accounts and seals to Zeng Shuhui for management. "Because she was a professional accountant, I listened to her and did my own work."

Andy pointed out that at the time, he and Jia Ning were responsible for filming and editing, with salaries each around NT$50,000 to NT$55,000, plus a year-end bonus of 2 to 3 months in the later period, with no additional income. Andy emphasized that he and Jia Ning did not discuss the ownership of the channel when they broke up. In his understanding, the channel was still jointly owned and had not been handed over to Jia Ning.

However, Jia Ning's defense lawyer presented a transcript of a recording from their agreement to break up in 2024, stating that Andy said in the recording, "This channel is yours," clearly indicating that the channel was to be acquired solely by Jia Ning, which was highly inconsistent with Andy's statement. Regarding this, Andy denied agreeing to give the channel to Jia Ning at the end of the hearing. His lawyer also stated after the hearing that isolated phrases from the agreement process do not represent the entirety of the situation.

Jia Ning testified in court today that before Crowdsourcing Company was established, they had hired a manager named Lin to handle business. After the company was established, her younger sister primarily served as the manager, her mother handled accounting matters, and her father was responsible for prop production and receiving goods. At that time, because they were going to produce merchandise, Zeng Shuhui was responsible for registering the trademark. Both she and Andy were aware of this. They had not agreed on who the trademark would belong to at the time, but both knew that Zeng Shuhui was handling it. (Editor: Lin Shuhui) 1150707

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