Big Hit Music: “No Leniency for Impersonators or Leakers”
BTS’s management takes legal action to safeguard artist rights
On the 29th, BTS’s agency, Big Hit Music, announced through a fan platform that they are consistently pursuing legal action against individuals who engage in malicious activities such as defamation, insults, sexual harassment, spreading false information, and malicious slander against BTS.
Big Hit Music clarified their stance of not intending to settle with defendants charged with impersonating BTS members or leaking unreleased tracks, despite these defendants expressing remorse before sentencing. Consequently, additional prison sentences were handed down alongside previous verdicts.
In addition, Big Hit Music reaffirmed its commitment to taking decisive legal action against clear criminal activities such as impersonation and unauthorized information leaks, even if it takes time.
They emphasized that despite all members fulfilling their military duties, real-time monitoring and collection of malicious posts about BTS and individual members are ongoing.
Especially regarding defamatory posts maliciously manipulated and spread about the artists’ military life, Big Hit Music stated that they will respond firmly across all channels, including social media, websites, and online communities, without leniency.
Big Hit Music stated, ‘Legal responses will continue without interruption during all members’ military service, and we will deal strictly and severely with suspects without any agreement or leniency.’
All BTS members are fulfilling their national defense duties. Since enlisting last April, J-Hope has assisted at the 36th Division’s recruit training center.
V is serving in the military police under the command of the 2nd Army Command in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province. RM is serving in the 15th Infantry Division Victory Unit. Jimin and Jungkook, who enlisted together, serve in the 5th Infantry Division. The complete group activities of BTS are aiming for 2025.”
Below is the statement from Big Hit Music, the agency of BTS:
Hello,
This is Big Hit Music.
To protect the rights of our artists, we regularly take legal action against individuals who post malicious content, such as defamation, insults, sexual harassment, spreading false information, and malicious slander, against BTS. We would like to update you on the key progress regarding this matter.
During this quarter, we have submitted numerous complaints to investigative agencies based on evidence collected through fan reports and our monitoring against acts that infringe upon the rights of our artists, including insults and defamation.
As mentioned in our previous announcement, regarding individuals who impersonate BTS members and leak unreleased tracks, we have conveyed the meaning of remorse from defendants who were arrested and prosecuted through additional criminal complaints. However, we have made it clear that we have no intention of settling. As a result, additional prison sentences have been imposed in addition to existing judgments. We will continue to take decisive legal action against clear criminal activities such as impersonation and unauthorized information leaks, even if it takes time. Despite all members fulfilling their military duties, real-time monitoring and collection of malicious posts about BTS and individual members are ongoing. We have compiled all serious insults, ridicule, malicious rumors, and false information directed at the artists and included them in our complaints. Especially concerning defamatory posts maliciously manipulated and spread about the artists’ military life, we are responding firmly across all channels, including social media, websites, and online communities, without leniency.
Individuals who have written dozens of defamatory comments and insults for ridicule have been prosecuted for defamation and insult since 2022 after a long-term investigation. The court has recognized their guilt and imposed fines of up to several million won. We also want to inform you that depending on the case, we are filing civil lawsuits along with criminal complaints and responding rigorously.
The collection, reporting, and legal response to malicious posts about BTS are ongoing. Legal responses will continue without interruption, even during all members’ military service. We will deal strictly and severely with suspects without any agreement or leniency.
We kindly ask for your active reporting through the Big Hit Music legal response account in the future. We are always grateful for the love and dedication of the fans towards BTS. Big Hit Music will continue to strive to protect the artists’ rights.
Thank you.
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