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Termination of Exclusive Contracts

Defamation

Publicity Rights

Portrait Rights

Disputes in various areas within the entertainment industry are increasing.

Agency vs. Artist

Regardless of your position, taking proactive measures based on your current situation can prevent significant harm.

Hello, I am attorney Kyusung Lee from Weon Law.

Through K-POP, K-DRAMA, and other media, the entertainment industry has introduced Korea to the world and has established itself as a core industry. The K-craze continues, extending beyond Korea to global fans, and is further expanding its reach with substantial investments in the global market.

The entertainment industry, as it enhances brand value and generates high added value, sees active movement in the media market. Alongside this growth, however, the frequency of disputes in the process has been increasing.

In this post, we will discuss common disputes regarding exclusive contract termination lawsuits.

What is an Exclusive Contract Termination Lawsuit?

This refers to the legal process of demanding the termination of an exclusive contract between an agency and an artist before the end of the contract period due to specific reasons.

Since agencies and artists engage in a business relationship, they draw up contracts that specify the period of activity and other provisions to be followed during this period. However, if one party fails to fulfill the agreed terms and causes harm to the other party, continuing the relationship may become highly inefficient.

For instance, there have been cases reported in the media where famous idols or actors who earned significant income from advertisements and performances did not receive any payments from their agencies.

While agencies may have personal reasons, such as high expenses during the recovery of investment costs, such cases are rare. Generally, most cases handled by Seoul corporate specialist lawyers involve incomplete compliance with the contents of the standard artist exclusive contract.

If you find later that some provisions in the contract are unfairly disadvantageous to you, it is better to consider alternatives like an exclusive contract termination lawsuit by hiring a Seoul’s corporate specialist lawyer instead of simply enduring it.

Since most of these cases are civil disputes, courts or investigative bodies do not determine accountability.

Both the plaintiff and defendant must present evidence to support their claims, making it advantageous to seek legal assistance from the start.

Moreover, since the litigation process often takes much longer than expected, artists may face the unfortunate consequence of being unable to work during this time.

To prevent this, it is crucial to take preliminary steps such as applying for an injunction to suspend the contract’s effect.

Agency vs. Artist

As you may know, most agencies are relatively large in scale. With such size, they likely have an internal legal team, which artists are generally aware of.

Additionally, since the company maintains and manages comprehensive information and materials on operations and artist management, artists may find it relatively challenging to gather evidence independently.

To bridge this gap, legal counsel from a Seoul corporate specialist lawyer experienced in such cases will be invaluable.

Attorney Kyusung Lee Profile

· Registered startup specialist lawyer by the Korean Bar Association

· Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS)

· Offers tailored solutions for each case through client consultations

· Holds years of expertise and experience

· Provides consultations on exclusive contracts, publicity rights, portrait rights, and various other areas

☎ Available for consultations: tel: + 82 2 6264 7604

Email: kslee@weonlaw.co.kr

Since entertainment-related lawsuits are typically unfamiliar territory, it is beneficial to seek an attorney's assistance from the outset.

Without experience, attempting to handle the situation alone can lead to immediate losses and impose significant restrictions on future activities.

To prevent such consequences, it is essential to engage in close consultations with a lawyer to devise an appropriate solution.

Attorney Kyusung Lee at Weon Law provides 1:1 legal consultations without the involvement of an office manager to ensure clients’ privacy, with all consultation details strictly confidential.

Please feel free to contact me, Attorney Kyusung Lee, whenever assistance is needed.

Thank you.

Kyusung Lee, attorney at law, Koran Bar Association

Tel: +82 2 6264 7604

Email: kslee@weonlaw.co.kr