Trot singer Young Tak files lawsuit against 'Young Tak Makgeoli' brewer to stop them using his name

▲ This photo, provided by New Era Project shows, singer Young Tak. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

▲ This photo, provided by Yecheon Brewer, shows singer Young Tak who wokred as the commercial model for Young Tak Makgeoli. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

SEOUL, Sep. 6 (Yonhap) -- Trot singer Young Tak has filed a lawsuit pleading for a stop to Yecheon Brewer’s usage of his name for their trademark “Young Tak Makgeoli” without permission.

The singer has filed a lawsuit against the brewing company for the banning of using ‘Young Tak’ without permission and for compensation on Monday, according to his management agency New Era Project.

Young Tak has also filed a criminal complaint claiming that Yecheon Brewer has blackmailed him.

The artist warned a legal dispute last month during the continuous argument with the brewer over the brand name “Young Tak Makgeoli.”

The singer who made a hit with the song “Drink Makgeoli” in TV Chosun’s “Mr. Trot,” signed a deal with Yecheon Brewer in April to work as the model for “Young Tak Makgeoli.”

But, it seemed like the two parties clashed against each other as they failed to renew the contract in July.

The brewer argued that they could not renew the contract as Young Tak demanded for 1.5 billion won and registration of the brand ‘Young Tak’ for renewal terms and that they can still use ‘Young Tak’ for their makgeolli brand even without registering the name as a trademark.

But the singer’s officials rebutted with an announcement saying, “patenting ‘Young Tak’ is a right of Young Tak and his original agency Milagro Entertainment who possess the publicity right (a right to permit the usage of a celebrity’s name or portraits for commercial purposes).”

Also, they said that the singer’s demand for ‘1.5 billion won for patent fee’ was the brewer’s arbitrary assertion to blackmail the singer.

“We had no choice but to take a legal measurement as Yecheon Brewer’s excessive spreading of false rumors and criticisms wouldn’t cease. The artist will focus his best on his activities as a singer,” said the official from Young Tak.

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