HYBE takes measures against illegal use of BTS name, images

BTS members (from left) Jungkook, Suga, Jin, V, RM, Jimin, J-Hope. Image: Weverse

HYBE, the K-pop agency whose sub-label Big Hit Music, represents BTS, is taking action against the illegal use of its intellectual property, including the use of BTS’ name, logo, and related pictures.

“We will strengthen monitoring and take stern measures for acts that violate the rights of our company and artists to make commercial use of them,” an official from Hybe told The Korea Herald on Wednesday.

The agency noted that Busan’s Nam-gu district office is using BTS’ official logo for a photo zone near a port in Oryukdo to promote the island.

Oryukdo is where Jimin of BTS filmed an online video and has since become a popular spot among the group’s fans.

Goyang City located in Gyeonggi Province, is also promoting city tourism with a mural portrait of BTS member RM on the walls of its tourist information center.

Portrait of BTS’ RM on a wall of Goyang Tourist Information Center in Goyang City, Gyeonggi Province. Image: The Korea Herald

“We do not allow government departments, local governments, and institutions to create streets, sculptures, and murals using portraits and names of our artists. Such creations are a violation of our intellectual property,” Hybe official added. “We prohibit such creations as they could negatively influence the image of our artists when damaged or badly managed.”

A sculpture of BTS’ name on Maengbang Beach in Samcheok, Gangwon Province, is set to be removed this month at Hybe’s request.

Maengbang Beach is where BTS shot the official photos for its album “Butter.”

Samcheok City has been using a sculpture of BTS’ name and the official picture of the album, “Butter,” to promote its tourism without the entertainment agency’s authorization.

The illegal usage of K-pop artists’ intellectual property was also observed online.

The Camp, an app that allows people to send letters to soldiers, created a separate space in its app for fans of BTS, calling it an “official” fan community.

But HYBE operates BTS’ only official fan community on its Weverse platform.

After the agency sent a letter of warning to The Camp, the app removed the word “official” and informed its users that its fan community for BTS is not an official one managed by HYBE.