Webtoon and Web Novel Creators File Class Action Lawsuit Against Newtoki and Booktoki

"Investigation Halted, Lenient Sentences" Spark Outrage
100,000 Won Per Person, Recruitment Begins on the 22nd

The Korea Cartoonists Association and the Korea Webtoon Artists Association held a press conference on August 11 in front of the Embassy of Japan in Jongno-gu, Seoul, demanding the domestic extradition of the operator of the illegal webtoon site "Newtoki." Photo by Yonhap News

Webtoon and web novel creators are launching a class action lawsuit against the illegal distribution sites Newtoki and Booktoki.

The Korea Digital Content Creators Association (KDCCA) announced on December 22 that it will be recruiting participants for the class action lawsuit until January 5 of next year. The lawsuit was prompted by the fact that the investigation into the operators of Newtoki and Booktoki has effectively been suspended, and the level of punishment is considered too lenient.

Last month, on the 4th, the association held an "Emergency Press Conference on the Collapse of the Newtoki Investigation," revealing that the investigation, which had been transferred from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's special judicial police to the North Gyeongsang Provincial Police Agency, had been halted. The investigation was stalled during the transfer process because the operator could not be identified.

Copyright infringement, except in cases of commercial intent or habitual violation, is in principle a crime prosecuted only upon complaint by the victim. The association stated, "We will not simply rely on the state's willingness to investigate, but will hold those responsible to greater account by having the affected creators take direct action."

The cost to participate in the lawsuit is 100,000 won per person (including attorney fees, court fees, and service charges), based on 200 participants and an estimated compensation of 10 million won per work. The association and its partner law firm will handle all administrative and practical procedures to minimize the burden on creators.

Kim Donghoon, president of the association, said, "Our aim is to raise awareness of illegal activities and to strengthen the industry's overall commitment to copyright protection."