[Breaking] Belift Lab and Source Music lose first-instance ruling in 2.5 billion won damages lawsuit against Min Hee-jin

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Belift Lab and Source Music, labels under HYBE, lost their first-instance ruling in a total of 2.5 billion won in damages claims filed against former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin, with the court siding with the former CEO.

On the 13th, the 12th Civil Division of the Seoul Western District Court conducted the pronouncement of judgment on the 2 billion won damages claim lawsuit filed by Belift Lab against Min Hee-jin. Min Hee-jin's side had also filed a counterclaim for 5 billion won, arguing that ILLIT caused damage by imitating NewJeans' concept. On the same day, the 500th million won damages lawsuit filed by Source Music against Min Hee-jin was also conducted simultaneously.

The court dismissed both the main claims and counterclaims of Belift Lab and Min Hee-jin's side. The judgment ordered that the plaintiff Belift Lab bear the litigation costs for the main suit, and the defendant Min Hee-jin bear the litigation costs for the counterclaim.

Source Music's 500 million won damages claim lawsuit, which was pronounced simultaneously, also had its plaintiff's claim dismissed, with Source Music ordered to bear the litigation costs.

Belift Lab argues that the plagiarism suspicions regarding ILLIT and NewJeans raised by Min Hee-jin through a press conference in April 2024 were false facts. The company maintains that this caused serious damage not only to the company but also to its affiliated group ILLIT. On the other hand, Min Hee-jin's side has countered that it was a legitimate issue raised to protect NewJeans' interests and creative ethics.

The lawsuit with Source Music stemmed from former CEO Min mentioning issues such as the casting authority of NewJeans members and artist management at the press conference. Source Music argues that these remarks were contrary to the facts and caused damage to the company.

Separately, related criminal cases are also in progress. The Seoul Yongsan Police Station referred Min Hee-jin and two former ADOR deputy CEOs to the Prosecution Service on the 1st of last month on charges of obstruction of business and defamation. In response, Min Hee-jin's side objected, stating that referral to the Prosecution Service does not imply indictment or guilt.

In previously conducted related trials, different judgments were made depending on the case. In the exclusive contract validity confirmation lawsuit for NewJeans, it was judged that there was insufficient evidence to conclude that ILLIT copied NewJeans' concept. On the other hand, in the stock purchase price claim lawsuit filed by Min Hee-jin, a judgment was received stating that remarks regarding plagiarism similarity fall under simple opinions and value judgments, within the scope of business discretion.

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.View Original