[NEWS] (o8o5o9) SM Ent. Applies for Trademark Rights on 'DBSK'

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SM Entertainment has once again applied for the trademark rights for Dong Bang Shin Ki.

It is known that SM Entertainment had gone to apply for continuation of trademark rights for the name ‘Dong Bang Shin Ki’ at the Korea Industrial Property Rights Information Service (KIPRIS) on 5th August together with 3 other names.

Currently the company is in a lawsuit with Dong Bang Shin Ki 3 members Xiah Junsu, Micky Yoochun and Hero Jaejoong, and this application has brought up different interpretations from music experts.

With the case of SM Entertainment applying for trademark rights for the name, especially since there was once in 2004 SM has refused to do so for 東方神起, much interests are roused as to the intention behind the act.

SM Entertainment also applied for trademark rights of other groups like Super Junior and So Nyeo Shi Dae on August 4th.

One music industry expert said, “Applying for the trademark rights for the singers in your own company is a natural thing. Sometimes it has been taken as a sensitive issue by many.”

Another said, “The company has the right and this is a natural thing to do. It shouldn’t be seen as a bad intention.” While another said, “Dong Bang Shin Ki is a group that is wellknown throughout Asia and Korea. If the trademark rights are abused, it is damaging to their image. There was a problem of disbanding some time back. But it is true that the sensitive time comes when the company applies for trademark rights to the name.”

source: K-Bites
credits: DBSKer & cassiopeialuv

To me, SM is just scared and they want to claim the names just in case they lose so the guys can't use 'Dong Ban Shin Ki' anymore. I really hate the fact that they're so greedy with things like that. Do you really have to make peoples lives so difficult when they're the source of your money? Trying to claim the other names too in case they decide to go against you too? Smart but hated for it.