K-Pop Choreographers' Rights to Be Strengthened

Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism Announces Results of 'Research on Choreography Copyright Protection'
Establishes Basic Framework to Improve Unfair Contract Practices

The rights of choreographers contributing to the success of K-pop will be further strengthened.

On the 23rd, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will announce the results of the "Study on Strengthening the Protection of Choreography Copyright" and the "Choreography Copyright Guide" at the Korea Copyright Commission office. This framework was prepared to improve the lack of awareness about choreography copyright and unfair contract practices. It aims to protect the rights of choreographers and provide a foundation for the sustainable development of the K-pop industry.

The study on strengthening choreography copyright protection was conducted by gathering opinions from choreographers as well as academia, industry, and the legal sector. Key measures include revitalizing choreography copyright registration through improved classification of registration system types, setting standards for choreographer organizations to exercise moral rights of attribution, presenting fair standards to improve contract practices, establishing a choreography copyright collective management organization, and introducing a choreography free use permission system to promote K-pop dance and resolve copyright infringement issues related to cover dances.

The choreography copyright guide is a document summarizing the "Copyright Act" and related systems that choreographers need to know. It specifies understanding and utilization of choreography copyright, distinction of choreographic authors, copyright registration procedures, copyright infringement and remedies, and specific cases.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will hold a presentation on the day to discuss improvements and future tasks. Participants in the discussion include Professor Gye Seung-gyun of Pusan National University, lawyer Hong Seung-gi, Ria Kim, president of the Korea Choreography Copyright Association, Professor Kim In-cheol of Sangmyung University, lawyer Kim Jeong-min, and Choi Jin-hoon, head of the legal team at MBC.

Jung Hyang-mi, director of the Copyright Bureau at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said, "K-choreography, which has led the change to a visual music era, still has great potential to develop in the digital platform environment," adding, "We will spare no policy support to help it grow further along with K-pop."

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