Galaxy Corporation disclosed key developments and future response plans after issuing a notice on responding to rights infringements against singer G-DRAGON.
On the 4th, Galaxy Corporation said, "We will continue legal action against various illegal acts that occur online, such as defamation, dissemination of false information, insults, malicious slander, violations of personal rights and invasion of privacy, in order to protect the honor and rights of our affiliated artist G-DRAGON (hereinafter 'artist')," and disclosed the key developments and future response plans from Feb. 24 to the present.
Based on evidence secured through fan reports and internal monitoring, Galaxy Corporation filed complaints with investigative authorities against about 100 people who wrote or distributed malicious posts on charges including violation of the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection (defamation).
Currently, many cases are being handled by investigative authorities and courts, and in some cases the suspects' criminal charges have been recognized, resulting in referral to the prosecution or criminal trials. Among them, the court issued summary orders imposing fines ranging from 2 million won to 7 million won against multiple defendants, and in separate cases the prosecution has requested summary fines, among other practical criminal procedures and legal measures underway.
Galaxy Corporation emphasized acts such as writing or disseminating unverified false information and malicious rumors; insulting, maliciously defaming or ridiculing the artist; illegally obtaining or distributing the artist's private life or personal information; posting expressions that constitute sexual harassment, sexual objectification or that damage dignity; producing or distributing manipulated or synthesized images, videos or audio; and repeatedly writing malicious posts or systematically expanding and reproducing them, and warned of additional legal responses to rights infringement acts.
Along with this, to enable faster and more systematic legal responses, the company said it will organize and operate a dedicated channel for reporting artist rights infringements. Galaxy Corporation said, "We will continue to do our best to protect the artist's rights so that the artist can work in a healthy and stable environment."
Below is the full statement from Galaxy Corporation
Hello. This is Galaxy Corporation.
First, we deeply thank the fans for their continued interest in the response to the artist's rights infringements and for waiting for updates on the progress.
We will continue legal action against various illegal acts that occur online, such as defamation, dissemination of false information, insults, malicious slander, violations of personal rights and invasion of privacy, in order to protect the honor and rights of our affiliated artist G-DRAGON (hereinafter 'artist').
We provide the key developments and future response plans from the previous notice on rights infringement response (02.24) to the present.
1. progress of existing cases
As we informed on Feb. 2, based on evidence secured through fans' reports and internal monitoring, we filed complaints with investigative authorities against about 100 people who wrote or distributed malicious posts about the artist on charges including violation of the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection (defamation).
Currently, many cases are being handled by investigative authorities and courts, and in some cases the suspects' criminal charges have been recognized, resulting in referral to the prosecution or criminal trials. Among them, the court issued summary orders imposing fines ranging from 2 million won to 7 million won against multiple defendants, and in separate cases the prosecution has requested summary fines, among other practical criminal procedures and legal measures underway.
This result shows that even if malicious posts are written using anonymous accounts, the author can be identified through investigative authorities' tracking and face actual criminal punishment. Based on the evidence we have already secured, we will hold those responsible in the ongoing cases to the end and will promptly take necessary legal actions such as filing complaints against newly confirmed illegal acts in the future.
The identification of suspects and investigative procedures for many cases are still ongoing, and we are actively cooperating with investigative authorities' requests. However, due to the nature of anonymous posts, substantial time may be required from identifying the author to final judicial disposition, and specific case details may affect investigations and trials, so we ask for your understanding that we can provide information only within limited scope. We will continue to report progress within the scope that can be disclosed in the future.
2. additional legal responses to rights infringement acts
We once again emphasize that we continuously monitor domestic and international online communities, portal sites, social media and video platforms, and constantly collect legal evidence on the following rights infringement acts.
* writing or disseminating unverified false information and malicious rumors
* insulting, maliciously defaming or ridiculing the artist
* illegally obtaining or distributing the artist's private life or personal information
* posting expressions that constitute sexual harassment, sexual objectification or that damage dignity
* producing or distributing manipulated or synthesized images, videos or audio
* repeatedly writing malicious posts or systematically expanding and reproducing them
Not only the original author of a malicious post but also those who repeatedly transmit it or expand and reproduce it are clearly committing illegal acts subject to legal action. Even if posts are deleted or accounts are made private or changed, legal procedures continue based on evidence we have secured.
We are taking all civil and criminal legal measures possible against newly identified rights infringement acts, and we will respond strictly without any leniency or settlement to illegal acts that cause serious damage to the artist.
3. unified reporting channel for artist rights infringement
To enable faster and more systematic legal responses going forward, we will organize a dedicated channel for reporting artist rights infringements and operate it as follows.
If you find a rights infringement case, please submit it as a single PDF or video (mp4, mov) file organized so that all items of the relevant post (URL, posting date, poster ID or nickname, infringement details, capture date, etc.) can be clearly verified.
Images with only partial captures, materials missing URL or author information, or edited versions whose originals are difficult to verify may have limited effectiveness as legal evidence. Submitting materials that have completeness as evidence will greatly help faster and more accurate legal review.
The fans' valuable reports are being used as important materials to identify illegal actors and prove related charges.
We once again thank the fans for their continued interest and cooperation for the artist.
We will continue to do our best to protect the artist's rights so that the artist can work in a healthy and stable environment.
Thank you.<
[OSEN]