[Exclusive]'Bulkkot Baseball' lawsuit not over… November hearing date set for injunction appeal

*This content was translated by AI.

'Bulkkot Baseball,' which has drawn attention due to a copyright dispute with JTBC's "Strongest Baseball," will hold a hearing in November regarding its objection to the court's decision to dismiss an injunction. This follows the production company's appeal against the dismissal of the preliminary injunction.

The 4th Civil Division (Multiple Judges) of the Seoul High Court is scheduled to hold a hearing on November 19 for the appeal lawsuit filed by Studio C1, the producer of 'Bulkkot Baseball,' against JTBC and others regarding an injunction prohibiting copyright infringement and unfair competition.

Previously, the 60th Civil Division of the Seoul Central District Court finally dismissed the objection filed by Studio C1 in February against the decision granting a preliminary injunction. In response, Studio C1 submitted an immediate appeal on that day, contesting the dismissal of the injunction objection. JTBC had applied for an injunction prohibiting copyright infringement and unfair competition against Studio C1 in December 2025, and the court ruled to prohibit the production and transmission of 'Bulkkot Baseball' video content and consecutive video content.

Despite this, Studio C1 proceeded with the production of Season 2 while filing an appeal, stating that "the court's ruling is a provisional decision." Director Jang Si-won also celebrated on the 10th, marking the milestone of his YouTube channel surpassing one million subscribers, by posting, "Thank you. We are grateful."

'Bulkkot Baseball' is content independently launched by Studio C1, which has drawn attention due to a copyright dispute with JTBC over the format of "Strongest Baseball." "Strongest Baseball," which was launched through outsourced production by Studio C1 for JTBC, is a reality sports entertainment program in which retired professional baseball players form a team together and challenge themselves to play baseball again. Since its first broadcast in June 2022, it has built a solid fan base and continued airing for over two years. However, after falling out with JTBC, Studio C1 stepped away from "Strongest Baseball" and launched 'Bulkkot Baseball' with existing cast members such as Lee Dae-ho, Park Yong-taek, and Jung Geun-woo. Meanwhile, JTBC revamped the program with a new cast and production team and returned in September 2025 with a new season.

At that time, "Strongest Baseball" attempted changes as part of a team restructuring, including appointing Lee Jong-beom, then a coach for the KT Wiz, as the new manager and changing the team name to "Breakers," but it experienced fluctuations in viewership ratings. Conversely, 'Bulkkot Baseball' has continued to receive support while maintaining its existing fan base under Studio C1's independent production, despite legal disadvantages.

The conflict between the two sides began in early 2025 when JTBC claimed that Studio C1 had requested excessive production costs and failed to disclose financial records, to which Studio C1 responded by arguing that excessive billing of production costs was structurally impossible.

JTBC filed a criminal complaint against Studio C1 and Director Jang Si-won for violations of the Copyright Act and Trademark Act, as well as breach of trust in business operations. It also filed an application for an injunction prohibiting copyright infringement and unfair competition, requesting to ban the production, sale, and distribution of 'Bulkkot Baseball.' In December 2025, the court ruled in favor of JTBC, stating that "the act of producing and transmitting 'Bulkkot Baseball,' which includes content implying it is effectively a follow-up season to 'Strongest Baseball,' constitutes an unfair competition act under Article 2, Paragraph 1, Item 1 of the Act on Prevention of Unfair Competition," and issued a decision prohibiting the production of 'Bulkkot Baseball' and the disclosure of related content.

In response, Studio C1 rebutted that some of its claims had not been accepted. It subsequently attempted to disclose content but ultimately deleted the main episode videos. JTBC clearly stated that it would take immediate additional legal action if a new season of 'Bulkkot Baseball' is released. It also warned, "Actions that circumvent the law, such as disclosing consecutive episodes after the injunction decision, will be subject to strict legal judgment in the main lawsuit."

According to the court's ruling, all currently disclosed episodes of 'Bulkkot Baseball,' as well as any content corresponding to consecutive episodes of the same season as said video material, are prohibited from being produced, transmitted, sold, distributed, or disseminated if they display the title "Bulkkot Baseball" or feature a team named "Bulkkot Fighters."

The 'Bulkkot Baseball' side, seemingly mindful of the court's injunction decision, deleted all main episodes uploaded to YouTube but immediately declared it would proceed with the production of Season 2. It posted a video titled "Live Game Second OnLINE Photo Exhibition" on its official YouTube channel and stated, "This injunction decision is a provisional judgment regarding this season's live broadcast video material," adding, "We will do 'Bulkkot Baseball' Season 2."

In response, JTBC criticized strongly, stating, "The court clearly determined that 'Bulkkot Baseball' is illegal content that used the achievements of 'Strongest Baseball,' built through JTBC's investment, without permission, and issued a prohibition decision." It added, "Nevertheless, Studio C1 is trying to obscure the essence of the illegal act with the trick of changing seasons to force it through."

It continued, "If a new season of Bulkkot Baseball is released, we will proceed with immediate legal action," and warned, "Actions that cleverly try to evade the law, such as disclosing consecutive episodes after the injunction decision, will be subject to strict legal judgment in the main lawsuit." It also pointed out, "One must keep in mind that pursuing only profit through all sorts of tricks despite it being clearly established as illegal, and attempting to package oneself as a legitimate actor by riding on fan sentiment, only aggravates liability for violating the law."

Meanwhile, JTBC decided to put an end to the season with the broadcast on February 2, separate from its legal conflict with Studio C1, setting an internal policy to conclude the season with the remaining broadcast episodes.

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*This content was translated by AI.