Major Legal Victory for JYP Entertainment

In a significant legal win for JYP Entertainment, the court has upheld the trademark registration for “SKZOO,” a collection of beloved animal characters representing members of the popular K-pop group Stray Kids. This ruling comes after a lengthy legal battle that began in March 2022 when JYP filed for trademark registration, only to face objections from the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO).

Background of the Controversy

The controversy erupted when KIPO rejected the trademark in August 2022, citing that it was too similar to the established trademark of SK Corporation, a major conglomerate in South Korea dealing in sectors such as telecommunications and construction. The problematic product categories included Class 14 (precious metals and accessories), Class 16 (stickers and photos), Class 25 (clothing and footwear), and Class 28 (concert light sticks and character dolls).

Key Points of Legal Dispute

A key point of contention was the pronunciation of “SKZOO.” KIPO argued that it could be perceived as “SK-joo,” potentially leading to confusion with SK Corporation's marks. However, JYP defended that “SKZOO” derives from “SKZ” (an abbreviation for Stray Kids) combined with “ZOO,” denoting an animal park theme, entirely different in concept from SK Corporation.

Appeal Process and Court Ruling

Following the rejection, JYP appealed to the Intellectual Property Trial and Appeal Board (IPTAB), but the board upheld KIPO's decision, asserting that 'SKZOO' could indeed lead to consumer confusion. Unwilling to back down, JYP Entertainment escalated the matter to the Patent Court.

Significance of the Recent Ruling

The recent ruling is a landmark decision that favored JYP. In November 2024, the Patent Court highlighted that 'the two trademarks are clearly distinguishable in appearance, pronunciation, and concept' and deemed KIPO's rejection unlawful. This resolution allows for the official trademark registration of SKZOO for Class 25, set to be announced on January 22, 2025. The company expects other denied categories of SKZOO to follow suit in registration soon afterward.

Impact on the Industry and Fanbase

The court emphasized the global popularity of Stray Kids, whose music videos boast over 100 million views, asserting that the public's recognition of the SKZOO brand contributed to the decision. The justices concluded that pronouncing it as 'SK-joo' was unnatural, reinforcing that 'SKZOO' is correctly pronounced 'Seu-ki-zoo.'

Conclusion

This victory is a testament to the cultural impact of Stray Kids and the strength of JYP Entertainment's branding efforts in a fiercely competitive industry. As fans eagerly await the release of new SKZOO merchandise and character representations, this ruling also paves the way for possible expansion into more international markets. The outcome has been celebrated by the fandom, marking another milestone in Stray Kids' already historic journey in the music world.