Unauthorized Use of BTS Photos... Mask Packs Worth 625 Billion KRW Attempted to be Sold Caught

A group involved in the unauthorized use of photos and trademarks of the group BTS to mass-produce and distribute face mask packs was caught by customs.

Incheon Main Customs announced on the 16th that it had referred three individuals, including A (56), the CEO of a cosmetics manufacturing company, and three corporate entities to the prosecution without detention on charges of trademark law violations.

A and others are suspected of producing and exporting or distributing domestically 110,000 face mask packs (worth about 300 million KRW) with unauthorized BTS photos and trademarks on the front and back of the packaging at a cosmetics factory in Incheon from April 2020 to April 2021, for about one year.

Fake BTS mask pack packaging. [Image provided by Incheon Customs]

BTS's agency, HYBE, confirmed the unauthorized use of photos and trademarks and sent a certified letter in June 2020 requesting the cessation of manufacturing and distribution of the face mask packs. However, despite this warning, the perpetrators continued their crimes.

Through a raid and seizure, Incheon Customs confirmed related contracts and found that A and others planned to produce an additional 250 million counterfeit BTS face mask packs (valued at 625 billion KRW based on genuine product prices) to export worldwide.

This is not the first case of exploiting BTS's popularity for economic gain. Previously, in 2019, a large number of counterfeit products imitating BTS character goods were seized by customs. From January to October 2019, Incheon Customs seized 15,000 counterfeit BTS character products imported from China through Incheon Port and other locations.

The seized counterfeits were fake products imitating BTS's registered trademark 'BT21,' including clothing, hats, bags, stationery, fans, and photo frames, which are highly favored by BTS's fan club, ARMY.

Meanwhile, an official from Incheon Customs stated, "The 'idol goods' market has recently grown rapidly, so the registered trademarks of K-pop groups have great protection value," adding, "We plan to actively crack down on various illegal activities that damage the value of Korean brands and the national image."

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