Singer Yeongtak Wins Second Trial in Trademark Dispute with 'Yeongtak Makgeolli' Manufacturer

Youngtak, who was active as the advertising model for Youngtak Makgeolli.
[Image provided by Yecheon Brewery]

Singer Yeongtak won the trademark dispute civil lawsuit against the manufacturer of ‘Yeongtak Makgeolli’ in the second trial as well.

The Seoul High Court Civil Division 5 (Presiding Judges Seol Beomsik, Lee Junyoung, and Choi Seongbo) ruled on the 8th that Yeongtak’s lawsuit against the Makgeolli manufacturer Yecheon Brewery, seeking prohibition of the use of the product mark, was partially in favor of the plaintiff, as in the first trial. The court upheld the first trial’s order that Yecheon Brewery must not produce, transfer, lease, or import Makgeolli products labeled ‘Yeongtak,’ nor display it on product packaging or advertisements, and must remove it from products already made. However, the request for disposal of products held by third parties was dismissed, as in the first trial.

Previously, Yecheon Brewery signed a one-year contract with Yeongtak’s side in 2020 and launched ‘Yeongtak Makgeolli’ in May of that year. The lawsuit began in June of the following year amid negotiations for a contract renewal for the advertising model. Yeongtak’s side filed a lawsuit in 2021, claiming that Yecheon Brewery continued to use ‘Yeongtak’ despite the contract’s expiration. In July of last year, the first trial ruled in favor of Yeongtak, stating, “If Yecheon Brewery continues to use ‘Yeongtak’ on Makgeolli products or advertisements, general consumers or traders may mistakenly believe that a business or contractual relationship exists with Yeongtak, such as receiving permission and paying fees.”

Yecheon Brewery’s CEO Baek was indicted for spreading false information that ‘Yeongtak’s side demanded a large sum of money, causing the contract to fail’ after negotiations with Yeongtak’s side broke down, and was sentenced to six months in prison with a one-year probation in the first trial last month.

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