Court Finally Settles The Copyright Claim Over FIFTY FIFTY’s “Cupid”
A Korean court has finally settled the dispute over the copyright of FIFTY FIFTY‘s hit song “Cupid.”
In 2023, right after FIFTY FIFTY’s career took off with their organic hit song “Cupid,” the group got into a massive controversy, after their agency ATTRAKT accused “outside forces” of trying to poach the group. ATTRAKT also claimed that the song’s producer, Ahn Sung Il (who is also the CEO of The Givers), tried to sabotage the copyright purchase of the track.
FIFTY FIFTY Vs ATTRAKT: The Full Story Behind The “Cupid” Conflict
While the controversy eventually snowballed into three of the four original members of the group leaving, and FIFTY FIFTY re-debuting with a new lineup, the dispute over “Cupid” copyrights continued. Last year, ATTRAKT filed a lawsuit asserting that the copyright to the song, which was held by The Givers, actually belonged to them and demanded that the rights be transferred.
On May 8, KST, the Seoul Central District Court finally gave a ruling over the matter. The court formally rejected the intellectual property rights claim lawsuit filed by ATTAKT against The Givers, citing that the claims had no factual merit.
The court thereby recognized The Givers as the legally registered owners of all the intellectual property regarding “Cupid,” based on contractual documents, roles in negotiations, creative engagement, and payment details.
Netizens have expressed their disapproval of this ruling.
- “Even if they (the new lineup) sing this song, all the music revenue will go there…Such an irony.”
- “The only way is to stop listening to it…”
- “This is infuriating…”
- “So that’s why they uploaded a practice video.”
Following the court’s decision, ATTRAKT revealed that they were preparing to appeal the case.
