Shannon Lee, the daughter of legendary martial artist Bruce Lee, has initiated legal proceedings in a Shanghai court seeking 210 million yuan (approximately US$30 million) from the Chinese fast-food chain Real Kungfu. The lawsuit, filed on January 1, 2020, alleges the company has used Bruce Lee’s image without authorization since 2004.
According to court documents, Real Kungfu’s logo depicts a figure with black hair wearing a yellow outfit while striking a fighting pose. Shannon Lee’s legal team argues this constitutes a clear imitation of Bruce Lee, whose likeness is managed exclusively by Bruce Lee Enterprises for merchandising and licensing purposes. The company operates hundreds of restaurants across China, and the lawsuit contends each location has profited from an image belonging to the Lee family’s business interests.
Real Kungfu has disputed the claim, stating the logo represents a generic kung fu figure rather than Bruce Lee specifically. In a public statement, the chain expressed confusion over the timing of the lawsuit, noting the logo received legal permission from Chinese authorities when it was first registered.
“We’re confused that we are prosecuted many years later,” the company said. Real Kungfu reports it is studying the case and preparing a response but has not yet submitted a formal filing to the court. The compensation amount is directly tied to the chain’s widespread presence and the commercial value associated with Bruce Lee’s likeness.
Shannon Lee is seeking immediate removal of the logo from all restaurant locations, packaging, and promotional materials. This is not the first legal action Shannon Lee has taken to protect her father’s image.
She assumed control of Bruce Lee Enterprises from her mother and has worked to safeguard the intellectual property rights associated with the martial artist, who died in 1973. The lawsuit argues that Real Kungfu built its brand using the commercial value of Bruce Lee’s face, name, and signature fighting stance without paying licensing fees for 15 years. If the court rules in Shannon Lee’s favor, Real Kungfu would face significant expenses beyond the compensation payout.
Replacing signage, packaging, menus, and marketing materials across hundreds of locations would cost millions of yuan. A ruling against the chain could also set a legal precedent, potentially making it more difficult for other companies to use celebrity likenesses without proper licensing agreements.
Real Kungfu’s legal team is currently reviewing the case but has not entered a formal defense. The court proceedings are expected to take several months to resolve. The outcome will determine whether companies can use the image of a deceased celebrity without authorization, or whether they must pay for the rights to such commercial use.
