@wlf_warren I find it weird actually. "NJZ" is a different trademark already, they can't sue them for it unless they also had a trademark for "NJZ" and can prove they actually used it regularly, which they never did.

You can't just sue anyone because the name is an acronym of your trademark name, unless you're actively using it.

For example, Facebook can claim ownership of "FB" since they are using it themselves, and it is commonly used to refer to Facebook. So, even if they did not trademark "FB" they can fight for it if someone used "FB" under the same trademark category.

But, "NJZ"? Their name was originally "NewJeans" and they never once marketed themselves as "NJZ". So, what's the basis for their claim that they cannot use "NJZ"?

Unless they're just tying them to the fact that their contracts hasn't ended, in which case, it has nothing to do if they want to call themselves "NJZ". They can sue them for breach of contract, but not for using "NJZ".

So, what's happening here? Do they have a weird trademark law in South Korea or something? What am I missing?

@ptkorea

**wlf_warren** @wlf_warren@pebble.social · Feb 25 *

Feb 25 *

wlf_warren @wlf_warren@pebble.social

@youronlyone @ptkorea

not a lawyer, just a layman

maybe, they as the same group

but

under a new name

violates some contractual agreement

may also be some sort of trouble-causing... move, by the ones who filed suit. I think it was ADOR (sub-label of HYBE)

*I do not know*

but read it termed as such in news article ~my posted as 'vaguely put
More details are public if trial.

fandoms also noticed in recent CK (Calvin Klein) shoot~listed by individual name but, not NJZ as group

Yohan Yukiya Sese Cuneta 사요한 @youronlyone@c.im

@wlf_warren Yeah, it is weird. I think the case is about them taking in a new name and performing/entering into contracts under that new name when their original contract is still valid. Unfortunately, the media misunderstood it as a trademark issue.

As long as no one has trademarked "NJZ" in South Korea, under the category "Entertainment" (or whatever it's exactly called), they're fine to use it. The real issue is their existing contract, as far as their company is concerned, it still is valid. The burden is on "NJZ" to prove to the court that it is null and void.

If they can't prove it, they're in to a serious legal trouble. They'll be fined for breached of contract. They can also get sued. All their existing deals will be cancelled, and those are breach of contracts too, which means they'll be fined, and if they fail to pay, they'll get sued.

(In Korea, the artists/models are expected to be "good" in reputation, if in any way the brand they're endorsing is damaged or they can no longer use the investments in endorsement materials, the artist/model is fined. AFAIK, we don't have that kind of a clause in the Philippines, even if the endorser gets into trouble, we still see their promotional materials everywhere. )

Actually, it's surprising that someone is still signing them up for endorsements and other projects. Probably Western-controlled companies, who believes in "negative publicity is still good publicity".

@ptkorea

Feb 25, 2025, 11:29 PM··Web

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**wlf_warren** @wlf_warren@pebble.social · Feb 26 *

Feb 26 *

wlf_warren @wlf_warren@pebble.social

@youronlyone @ptkorea

I agree, and- x2's on them misinterpreting the allegations.

One of the links from the article states just that.

ADOR denied NewJean's termination of the original contract.

As long as litigation is pending, they must abide by the original EXCLUSIVE contract to NewJeans, and why .. 'NJZ' may be considered ~ 'illegal'.

We shall see if goes to trial and what outcome is decided ~ -court.

My expanded thoughts to what you are saying and, txs your opinion

**Yohan Yukiya Sese Cuneta 사요한** @youronlyone · Feb 27

Feb 27

Yohan Yukiya Sese Cuneta 사요한 @youronlyone

@wlf_warren Yep. Someone is giving poor advice to those young ladies. I just hope whoever it is will stand by them to the end, and not leave them hanging when things start to look bad.

Other than the other specific laws, contracts are practically the same everywhere. They should've fought in court and showed proof that their agency breached their contracts, instead of rushing things and trying to shape public opinion.

Sure, they probably knew it won't be easy to fight a company, a huge one at that, so they chose to use the public and shape the people to side with them. But, it was a very risky move, and one where it's showing most prefer to stay neutral or chose to "side" with the contract and the law.

And for many, if not all fans, all they want is music and performances. It doesn't matter what they want to call themselves, their legal battles are not in the mind of the fans. Besides, what can fans do with it? Legal is legal. Fans can't influence that, especially not International fans.

They really miscalculated.

@ptkorea

**wlf_warren** @wlf_warren@pebble.social · Feb 27 *

Feb 27 *

wlf_warren @wlf_warren@pebble.social

@youronlyone @ptkorea

(1 of 2)

a blurred line ~

Fans want performances~the legal side is out of their grasp

the other

this personal relationship

created by companies to help build relationships between fandoms and IDOLs is a form of promotion itself~boosting ticket sales, merch, Fashion gigs, and more

has led to fandoms, wanting to protect, & defend their IDOLs

the ones they LOVE

and will go to great lengths to DO so if feel they have been wronged

NewJeans members as an example

**wlf_warren** @wlf_warren@pebble.social · Feb 27 *

Feb 27 *

wlf_warren @wlf_warren@pebble.social

@youronlyone @ptkorea

(2 of 2)
... and the voice of 'popular opinion' weighs heavy on them.

So they do carry some weight in how LABEL reacts and make decisions when it comes to the legal side of things

it is them the audience that makes or breaks a company,
-( where the is)- in the entertainment business!

**wlf_warren** @wlf_warren@pebble.social · Feb 27 *

Feb 27 *

wlf_warren @wlf_warren@pebble.social

@youronlyone @ptkorea

... this is how BLΛƆKPIИK

got to the position, they are in

today!

Success

... and the ability to pull the power play they did...

if you are good enough to be able to leverage an advantage

... with LABEL's

like YGE.

*Taylor did the same thing but

a lot of hers came afterward

takes raw talent

and a savvy businesswoman to do it!

**Yohan Yukiya Sese Cuneta 사요한** @youronlyone · Mar 2

Mar 2

Yohan Yukiya Sese Cuneta 사요한 @youronlyone

@wlf_warren But the problem with shaping public opinion on legal matters is that it is the so-called "The People's Court", which is illegal everywhere and holds no weight.

If they win legally because of public support, it undermines the judiciary system, and in extension, the entire government. Who need these institutions then if "The People's Court" wins? Then it leads it chaos and anarchy once these systems loses its relevance.

The multiple organizations in Korea who gave them a stern warning are correct, if they win, it will undermine the K-pop industry as a whole, not just the idol industry, but the entire K-pop / Korean music. And that's just the beginning, as I've mentioned earlier, it will undermine the judiciary as well.

Start the legal proceedings first. Reveal everything there. And the people will side with you.

Best example? The Depp case. Even though the world turned against him because of what his ex-wife did (swaying public opinions first before the legal proceedings started), he kept quiet and was patient. So, when the proper time and place came, he revealed his aces up his sleeves. The public quickly switched sides to him. And some (or many?) of those who were critical against him turned as well. The legal proceeding was what swayed the public to his side.

It's why legal advisers often say to keep quiet. To only reveal things within the framework of legal proceedings. Otherwise, it can backfire (they divided sheir own fanbase) and it is giving the other party a chance to formulate a strategy (now they have more allies and better statements).

@ptkorea