"Trademark Transferred Without Compensation"
Singer G-Dragon (real name Kwon Ji-yong) has received the trademark rights for his stage names 'G-Dragon' and 'GD' from his former agency YG Entertainment without any compensation. Accordingly, G-Dragon, who is planning a solo comeback in the second half of the year, will be able to freely use his existing stage name 'G-Dragon' in his future activities.
On the 1st, a representative from G-Dragon's current agency Galaxy Corporation told Yonhap News, "It is true that Galaxy Corporation currently holds the trademark rights for 'G-Dragon' and 'GD'," adding, "Thanks to the consideration of YG Entertainment CEO Yang Hyun-suk, we received the trademark rights without any compensation." A YG representative also stated, "The trademark rights for G-Dragon have been transferred to Galaxy Corporation."
Currently serving as an invited professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), G-Dragon is preparing for a singer comeback in the second half of the year. However, the exact comeback date has not yet been decided.
Meanwhile, G-Dragon debuted in 2006 as a member of the group Big Bang, leaving behind numerous hit songs such as "Lies," "Haru Haru," and "Bang Bang Bang." After his exclusive contract with YG, where he had been for 17 years, expired, he took a new nest at Galaxy Corporation last year. At the time of his transfer, YG stated on Big Bang’s official website, "G-Dragon was one of the artists symbolizing our company, and every moment spent with him since Big Bang’s debut in 2006 was an honor."
In the music industry, it is not uncommon for conflicts to arise over stage names when artists change agencies. The group Highlight, for example, gave up their original name "Beast" due to a trademark dispute during their agency transfer but recently received the trademark rights from their former agency.
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