The Givers wins final ruling in copyright dispute over 'Cupid'

▲ The corporate logo of The Givers, an outsourcing agency led by producer Ahn Sung-il. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE)(Yonhap)

SEOUL, April 6 (Yonhap) -- The Givers, an outsourcing agency led by producer Ahn Sung-il, has won a final court ruling in a copyright dispute over "Cupid," a hit song by K-pop girl group FIFTY FIFTY.

The agency said Monday the ruling was finalized after Attrakt, the group’s agency, withdrew its appeal.

"Cupid," released in February 2023, gained global popularity through social media and climbed to No. 17 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

The original song was written by Swedish composers, and The Givers purchased the full copyright from them. Based on this, the agency registered the copyright ownership under its name with the Korea Music Copyright Association in March 2023.

Attrakt later filed a lawsuit, arguing that under its service contract with The Givers, the acquisition of the song’s copyright was part of the entrusted duties and should belong to the company. It also claimed the Swedish composers understood Attrakt to be the actual buyer in the copyright transfer agreement.

However, both lower courts ruled in favor of The Givers, stating that the copyright transfer agreement clearly identified The Givers as the contracting party and that all substantive actions, including negotiations and payment, were carried out by the agency.

The courts also said contract interpretation should be based on the written terms rather than internal intentions, rejecting Attrakt’s claims.

With Attrakt’s decision not to further appeal, the ruling has been finalized.

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