As the group QWER and The Boyz continue their dispute over similarities in light sticks, the Korea Management Federation (hereinafter Hanmaeyeon) and the Korea Entertainment Producers Association (hereinafter Yeonjehyup) have stepped in to mediate between the two sides.
Earlier, when QWER's first world tour "ROCKATION" official light stick design was revealed, allegations arose that it resembled The Boyz's light stick, and this escalated into conflict between fandoms. The Boyz fandom has accused QWER of plagiarism and demanded an explanation, and in response The Boyz's agency One Hundred released an official statement on the 25th saying "After becoming aware of the matter, we have continued discussions with QWER and requested design changes, but no final conclusion was reached. We will strongly respond, including all legal procedures and in cooperation with related organizations, to prevent such incidents from recurring," suggesting legal action.
However, QWER's agencies Prism Filter Music Group and Three Y Corporation rebutted, "The recently released QWER official light stick has no design or copyright issues. Our company has repeatedly received reviews and opinions from related experts such as lawyers and patent attorneys regarding this light stick, and confirmed that there are no issues, including copyright infringement."
In the end, QWER proceeded with sales of MD items including the light stick, deepening the conflict. In response, Yeonjehyup and Hanmaeyeon issued a joint statement and presented their positions on the controversy.
On the 29th, Yeonjehyup said, "Although the two agencies have conflicting views, it is time to consider a balanced approach to strict legal judgment and objective fact-finding, industry practices and the scope of publicness of design, and the social importance of fandom identity," adding, "Industry agreement and institutional improvements to protect intellectual property rights and creativity are urgently needed. We strongly urge the preparation of standard guidelines so that meaningful creative assets of each agency, artist and fandom can be clearly protected."
It added, "A culture of mutual understanding and respect among fandoms must be established. Collective actions such as hashtag campaigns and protests are part of a healthy fandom culture, but baseless slander, hate and cyberbullying against other fandoms and artists can never be tolerated," and "The association, in a neutral position, will do its best to mediate and arbitrate between the parties and to prepare effective measures to prevent recurrence. To this end, we promise to begin multifaceted efforts such as building an official dispute mediation platform, joint industry statements and campaigns."
Finally, "We will emphasize an initial planning and review system so that prior registration, public review and industry pre-consultation procedures for official goods designs can be established," and "The association will faithfully perform its role as a driving force to ensure the industry as a whole resolves the issue together," it said.
On the 30th, Hanmaeyeon also said in a statement, "We express deep regret over the issue and ask that the mutual defamation be restrained as it is becoming excessive."
Hanmaeyeon said, "Fields such as various intellectual properties are intangible assets, so the boundary between imitation and plagiarism is often ambiguous. In such situations, industry agreement and mediation are very important to both protect creativity and increase possibilities for use. Our federation will do its best to help by facilitating fair mediation procedures and consultations on this matter."
It also said, "Our federation will pursue awareness improvement in the industry through campaigns, education and various initiatives so that a fair system for protecting and valuing intangible assets in the future of South Korea's popular culture and arts industry, including evaluation and review, can take root," adding, "We will never stand by when acts damage artists' and fandoms' unique symbols or disrupt order between fandoms, and we plan to respond firmly so that the healthy culture and trust K-pop fandoms have built and maintained are not shaken."
[Photo] Provided by each agency
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