Bad news for Korean pop rock band CNBLUE as a court decision this week imposed a heavy fine on the group and their agency for a copyright infringement.
On Wednesday, Feb. 3, the Seoul Central Court finally made a verdict on CNBLUE's unauthorized performance of another band's song on Mnet's weekly music program "M! Countdown" nearly six years years ago.
The court fined CNBLUE and their record label FNC Entertainment 15 million KRW (appoximately $12,500 USD) after the band played a cover of the Crying Nut song "Deadly Offside" during their appearance on the music show.
Crying Nut's side claimed the original recording of the song, which was written by member Lee Sang Hyuk for the 2002 FIFA World Cup hosted jointly by South Korea and Japan, was featured on the music program while the CNBLUE members lip-synced.
Though Mnet's parent company CJ E&M compensated for the use of "Deadly Offside" on "M! Countdown," more fuel was added to the fire when the same performance was included on CNBLUE's Japanese DVD album released a year later.
While the Court ultimately found CNBLUE liable for unauthorized use of the song on the TV show, they were not held responsible for the inclusion of "Deadly Offside" on the DVD. CJ E&M, who was in charge of the DVD sales, had already paid 40 million KRW (nearly $34,000 USD) to Crying Nut, which was deemed appropriate recompense.
CNBLUE also countersued Crying Nut for damages to the group's reputation, but the Court rejected the group's argument.
