Trot Singer 'Youngtak' Legal Response... Yecheon Brewery "Youngtak's Side Attempted Trademark Law Violation"

As Yeongtak's side takes legal action over the 'Yeongtak Makgeolli' controversy, the manufacturer Yecheon Yangjo has countered, claiming that Yeongtak's side attempted to violate trademark law.
/Photo by Yecheon Yangjo

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Seohyun] Amid trot singer Youngtak's camp announcing legal action against Yecheon Brewery, the manufacturer of 'Youngtak Makgeolli,' Yecheon Brewery has instead claimed that Youngtak's side attempted to violate trademark law.

Youngtak's agency, New Era Project, and Milagro stated in an official press release on the 17th, "We will strongly respond to Yecheon Brewery's illegal and unfair actions and false claims to protect the safety and rights of the artist and his family."

The agency explained, "We have endured the actions of Yecheon Brewery, which produced Youngtak Makgeolli. However, the false defamation and dissemination of misinformation about Youngtak, who did not participate in trademark-related negotiations, have become very serious, and the insults and defamation against Youngtak's family have not stopped, making it impossible not to clarify the truth."

Youngtak's side is pursuing a lawsuit through the law firm Sejong to prohibit the unfair use of the trademark against Yecheon Brewery.

On the other hand, Yecheon Brewery countered on the same day, "It is rather Youngtak's side that tried to violate trademark law, and there is no problem with us continuing to use the Youngtak Makgeolli trademark." Jo Jaeduk, head of Yecheon Brewery's Seoul office, said in a phone interview with JoongAng Ilbo, "We have not yet received a complaint from Youngtak's side," but added, "If we respond calmly to Youngtak's lawsuit, the facts will eventually come to light."

Jo said, "On August 11 last year, Youngtak's mother learned that Yecheon Brewery was preparing to apply for and register the Youngtak Makgeolli trademark, and eight days later, she filed the trademark application herself. The Patent Office contacted us, and since we also prepared the related documents, Youngtak's side cannot register the trademark, and we can continue producing Youngtak Makgeolli."

Article 34 of the Trademark Act stipulates that in cases of partnership, employment, or contractual relationships, a trademark that is identical or similar to one used or prepared for use by another cannot be registered.

According to Yecheon Brewery, Youngtak's mother visited Yecheon Brewery at that time, and discussions about registering the 'Youngtak' trademark took place. Yecheon Brewery needed Youngtak's handwritten signature to register the trademark, and Youngtak's mother promised to obtain the signature on their behalf but secretly filed the trademark application herself on the 19th, eight days later, according to Yecheon Brewery's claim.

Earlier, Yecheon Brewery revealed last month that there was a dispute during the failed contract renewal process after announcing the end of Youngtak's advertising model contract. Yecheon Brewery claimed, "Youngtak's side demanded separate model fees, cash related to the trademark, and company shares amounting to 5 billion KRW for one year and 15 billion KRW for three years, and refused to negotiate the amount by the final deadline."

In response, Youngtak's side denied, "Yecheon Brewery's claims are completely false, and there is no fact that Youngtak demanded 15 billion KRW." They also stated that Yecheon Brewery's claim to the right to use the Youngtak trademark is legally unfounded.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.