On May 8, South Korea's Supreme Court revealed the results of their most recent court ruling, which involves Big Hit Entertainment's legal battle against different organizations that sell unapproved and "fake" photograph merchandise of BTS, by means of the court's legitimate website.
The Supreme Court has announced that selling "counterfeit" photograph merchandise of BTS is an infringement of the preeminent law. Aside from that, it has likewise included the aftereffect of this specific legal dispute as a referential case in their law framework, implying that any criminal cases from here on including "Unlawful sale of stolen or plagiarized content belonging to certain individuals" will follow the decision declared in Big Hit Entertainment's ongoing case, as featured under "Laws set for the insurance of business mysteries and for the anticipation of business offenses."
Big Hit Entertainment started their claim against specific organizations selling "counterfeit" BTS photobooks, without permission to utilize the individuals' pictures way back in 2018. Between 2018 and 2019, the agency confronted these groups through initial trials, followed by a second appeal. In March of 2020, the case was sent to the Supreme Court as Big Hit kept on pursuing stern security over their talents' rights.
Unlike in the United States of America, South Korea didn't have clear laws set up explicitly ensuring celebrity photographs, names, and images, and so on from being utilized without authorization up to this point. Therefore, an unlawful offer of "fake" merchandise of big names has been widespread for quite a long time. In any case, it appears that after the court's most recent decision, companies will now be given a chance to tackle such issues if necessary.
Aside from the said two-year battle, in April of this year, Big Hit pursued another lawsuit against companies that have allegedly sold BTS stuff without permission. This shows how eager they are in resolving issues such as this to fully protect their artists.
As such, Big Hit Entertainment officially released a statement over the said proclamation by the Supreme Court.
"The Supreme Court's recent judgment has become and created a legal method for labels, and their artists to safe keep their knowledge and identities as property. Furthermore, we will keep on pursuing the sternness form of penalty for any illegal actions which infringe our artists' rights," they said.
Meanwhile, BTS will be participating in virtual graduation called DEAR CLASS OF 2020. The said live stream ceremony will be held on YouTube. Further, this is organized by the former President of the USA, Barack Obama, and his wife, Michelle. Aside from the K-pop group, other prime celebrities such as Lady Gaga and Alicia Keys will also grace the event.
