Source Music's Trademark Rights Application for 'GFRIEND' Denied

After having applied to own the trademark rights for "GFRIEND" over a year ago, it was revealed that their application has been denied for these reasons.

Keep on reading to know more.

Source Music's Application for Trademark Rights Over 'GFRIEND' Gets Denied

Back in May 2021, Source Music made the shocking announcement that their only girl group at the time, GFRIEND, was disbanding. With the widespread coverage of their disbandment, it was eventually revealed that the label had actually applied for the trademark rights over the names "GFRIEND" and its Korean equivalent "여자친구" (girlfriend).

Based on the official website of the Korean Intellectual Property Office's, Source Music had applied for the trademark rights of "여자친구" back on January 23, 2015, and was officially registered on November 3, 2015. While "GFRIEND" was applied for trademark on March 11, 2021, few months prior to the group's disbandment.

Now, more than a year later, it was revealed that the Korea Intellectual Property Protection Agency (KOIPA) had decided to deny Source Music's application to hold the exclusive trademark rights to "GFRIEND."

According to the Korea Intellectual Property Protection Agency, there are two reasons as to why the application was not approved.

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Their first reason is that the trademark "GFRIEND" is identical to the English name of the six-member South Korean girl group GFRIEND, and it cannot be trademarked.

Second, the trademark "GFRIEND" is directly associated with GFRIEND, a girl group that is noticeably identifiable by general consumers. Because of this, the use of this trademark by the applicant (Source Music) can cause misconception and raise the potential for deception of consumers.

As a result of Source Music's trademark rights application being denied, this means that the former GFRIEND members, Sowon, Eunha, Yerin, SinB, Yuju, and Umji can continue to use the name GFRIEND in any form. This includes being able to promote as GFRIEND if they wish to reunite and release new music together in the future, or if they wish to appear as a group on broadcasts.

Meanwhile, GFRIEND disbanded back on May 22, 2021, after seven years of promoting together. The group's last release was their third studio album "回:Walpurgis Night," and its lead single "MAGO."

What are your thoughts on this decision?

GFRIEND Members' Latest Activities

Following their disbandment, members Eunha, SinB, and Umji signed together under Big Planet Made. There, they re-debuted under the name VIVIZ, and recently made a comeback with their second mini album "Summer Vibe" on July 6.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: VIVIZ Eunha Recalls Poor Condition of Their Rehearsal Studio During Trainee Days

Sowon is currently promoting under her real name Kim So Jung, and signed with IOK Company as an actress.

Yerin is under the label Sublime Artist Agency, and recently made her solo debut back on May 18, 2022 with her mini album "Aria."

Lastly, Yuju went to Konnect Entertainment, and made her solo debut on January 18, 2022 with her mini album "Rec." She is gearing up for her comeback on July 28.

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Written by Robyn Joan