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Tag: counterfeit goods

  • Counterfeit K-pop Goods from China Seized in Kore

    While K-pop continues to grow in global influence, authorities have uncovered large volumes of counterfeit K-pop merchandise from China being distributed in Korea.

    According to data submitted by the Korea Customs Service, the most frequently seized counterfeit item between 2024 and August this year was photocards. The group most affected was IVE, with 713,593 counterfeit photocards confiscated.

    They were followed by NewJeans (99,888), IU (77,344), Stray Kids (75,404), and aespa (52,967), completing the top five.

    Other cases included illegally distributing mask packs that exceeded contracted production, as well as bromides and framed posters imported while disguised as official products.

    Excluding photocards, BTS suffered the greatest intellectual property infringement, with over 110,000 counterfeit items seized. SEVENTEEN (2,610), (G)I-DLE (920), BLACKPINK (680), and NewJeans (720) followed

  • “HYBE Cracks Down on Counterfeit K-Pop Goods, Seizes 19,000 Items”

    The Korean Intellectual Property Office’s trademark special investigative unit has referred B, the CEO of Company A, to the prosecution on charges of violating the trademark law, as announced on the 24th. This case targets Company A, which produced counterfeit goods infringing on the intellectual property (IP) rights of nine popular K-pop idol groups, including BTS, SEVENTEEN, TOMORROW X TOGETHER (TXT), ENHYPEN, and LE SSERAFIM.

    In this crackdown, more than 19,356 counterfeit items were seized, including photo cards, socks, pens, clothing, mirrors, keychains, hats, mobile phone accessories, and tumblers. Company A had been selling these illegal products to foreign tourists and K-pop fans in Myeongdong, Seoul, profiting unlawfully.

    HYBE has been consistently monitoring and cracking down on the IP violations of its artists both online and offline. Last year, they seized 13,691 cases of counterfeit goods in the domestic e-commerce market and 278,568 cases overseas, while also taking action against 17,710 instances of unauthorized paid video distribution on SNS. Additionally, they educated customs officers on distinguishing between authentic and counterfeit items, resulting in the discovery of 3,462 IP-infringing goods last year.

    HYBE has pledged to continue working closely with the Korean Intellectual Property Office to protect the IP of their artists and to persist in efforts to eradicate counterfeit goods and improve public awareness.