"Copyright Protection Must Be Ensured So the Public Can Enjoy Dance Culture More"
A forum was held where experts from various fields gathered to discuss creating an environment where Korean choreography copyrights are properly protected and distributed.
On the 30th, at the Seoul office of the Korea Copyright Commission in Dongja-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, the Korea Copyright Commission (Chairman Kang Seok-won), the Choreography Copyright Society (President Ham Seok-cheon, Chief Judge), and the Korea Choreography Copyright Association (President Lia Kim) jointly held the '2024 Summer Choreography Seminar.' About 100 people attended, including legal professionals, officials from the Copyright Commission, scholars, and domestic choreographers. The sessions were moderated by lawyer Kim Jeong-min (45, 4th Bar Exam) and Chief Judge Ham Seok-cheon (55, 25th Judicial Research and Training Institute), who took charge of the first session and the second and third sessions, respectively.
At the '2024 Summer Choreography Seminar' held on the 30th, lawyer Kim Hye-eun is giving a presentation. [Image source=Beopryul Sinmun]
First, Team Leader Choi Seong-bae of the Korea Copyright Commission introduced the copyright education system. Team Leader Choi presented a systematic copyright education program for choreographers and announced plans to support copyright education for various creators, including choreography. In particular, the Commission emphasized that it will provide free 'visiting copyright education for creators,' which is expanding annually, to raise creators' awareness and foster a culture of fair use of copyrighted works. Considering choreographers' weekly activities, he also mentioned that late-night education is possible, which received great applause.
Next, choreographers shared their difficulties related to copyright and contracts. Lia Kim (40, real name Kim Hye-rang), a leading choreographer representing Korea, said, "According to a survey of mid-career choreographers, about 60% responded that they do not properly use contracts as a matter of practice." She added, "Even top choreographers who handle choreography for world-renowned idol groups have to muster courage when requesting contract drafting." She noted, "Only 2.2% of respondents have experience registering or holding choreography copyrights," emphasizing the need for recognition of copyrights as well as awareness improvement and education for choreographers.
Choreographer Choi Young-jun (39) said, "I hope choreographers can freely engage in creative activities while being protected by copyright," adding, "Costs should be borne by those who commercially use choreography, and I hope an environment will be created where creation is active and the public can enjoy dance more."
Ham Seok-cheon, Chief Judge and President of the Choreography Copyright Society, also stressed, "The reason for the existence of copyright is not to intimidate the public." He expressed concern that if rights protection is excessively strengthened to the point of hindering the public's cultural enjoyment, choreography creation culture could be damaged.
Finally, a session was held to discuss the extent to which choreography copyrights can be recognized through case law. Kim Hye-eun (34, 6th Bar Exam), Education Director of the Choreography Copyright Society and lawyer at Shinsegae Law Firm, explained the copyright lawsuit between world-renowned choreographer Kyle Hanagami and Epic Games, the developer of the game 'Fortnite.' Lawyer Park Seon-jin (35, 6th Bar Exam) from Hyun Law Firm shared questions and realistic considerations related to choreography under the theme 'Can I claim the dance I created as mine?'
Chairman Kang Seok-won said, "For choreography copyrights to be properly respected and protected, awareness raising through education and copyright registration must be prerequisites," adding, "The Commission will continuously strive to create a society where choreographers' creations are properly protected and their rights are fairly recognized." He also stated, "We will actively support the visiting copyright education, a customized copyright education service for creators."
Reporter Jo Han-ju, Legal Times
※This article is based on content supplied by Law Times.
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