Trademark issues of Young Tak makgeoli

Singer Young Tak [Photo provided = Milagro Entertainment]

Singer Young Tak who gained fame by participating ‘Mr. Trot’ a competition program produced by TV Chosun is become more famous due to unfavorable issues. He reportedly tested positive for COVID-19 and he is in conflict about 15 billion won issue with Yechon Brewery for Young Tak makgeolli.

As Young Tak was ranked as 2nd place in ‘Mr. Trot’ a substantial fandom was already built. His value was skyrocketing and made a one-year modelling contract of Young Tak Makgeoli with Yecheon Brewery. By the contract the makgeolli brand gained a nationwide popularity.

After a year on 14th June of 2021 Young Tak and the brewery failed to make a renewal. Yecheon Brewery relied on and owed much to the singer and the renewal seemed to be a logical conclusion.

The brewery claimed that the singer refused an offer of 7 million won. The brewery could not find any problem using the brand name. They say that the name is not related to the singer. Instead it stands for the last letter of their President and the first letter of Takju. The law firm Barun said that the singer does not hold the trademark and legal rights which means that the brewery can still use the trademark.

The fandom has a different idea. They claim that the brewery applicated after the stardom built by the song ‘A cup of makgeoli’ to take advantage of it. It the order is true since the application was made later than the song was released. Soon after in April they made a modelling contract.

Trademark brokers make such kind of problems by preoccupying trademarks. ‘Dupjuk’ trademark issue is a representative case which was resolved by the public rage resulting withdrawal of the brokers who felt pressure.

Yecheon Brewery claims that Young Tak is demanding too much. The brewery announced that their sales is 5 billion and net profit during the term is about a billion and Young Tak asked for 15 billion won for a 3-year contract which seems to be excessive. Young Tak denied the claim and the problem is passed to the court.

Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) however has made an authoritative interpretation that the company cannot register the trademark without the permission of the singer. Kang Sung-gu Secretary of KIPO said that there were no registrations made by any entities including the singer after the application of ‘Young Tak’ by the brewery.

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