FIFTY FIFTY’s “Cupid” Copyright Battle Escalates as ATTRAKT Files Appeal Against Court Ruling
On May 27, it was confirmed that ATTRAKT has filed an appeal with the Seoul Central District Court, seeking to overturn the court’s earlier ruling in favor of the song’s credited copyright holder, The Givers.
The ongoing legal saga began in November 2023, when ATTRAKT filed a lawsuit demanding the transfer of the copyright for “Cupid” from The Givers to their agency. ATTRAKT alleged that The Givers, who were involved in producing the track, had illegitimately registered the copyright and tampered with original project files, violating contractual obligations.
However, the Civil Division 62 of the court, presided over by Judge Lee Hyun-seok, dismissed ATTRAKT’s claim, stating:
“The plaintiff’s claim is without merit and is therefore entirely dismissed.”
In response to the ruling, a representative of The Givers said:
“This verdict confirms that our efforts to correct misinformation and clarify the truth were justified. Amid confusion fueled by unfounded claims, the court has clearly defined the contractual rights between the involved parties. We hope this ruling serves as a precedent for similar future cases.”
Undeterred, ATTRAKT has retained top law firm Kim & Chang to continue their legal campaign, signaling a renewed push for justice and transparency in what has become a landmark K-pop copyright case.
The dispute has had wider consequences, most notably the FIFTY FIFTY split, as members previously filed to suspend their contracts amid the conflict. The internal fallout further complicated public sentiment and cast a spotlight on issues of copyright ownership, artist management, and producer-agency dynamics within the Korean entertainment industry.
As ATTRAKT prepares for a second round in court, the case is expected to set a critical precedent for how intellectual property rights are interpreted and enforced in the K-pop landscape, especially in an era where chart-topping hits can make or break a company’s future.
