Image credit: Star News
Agency Explains the Situation
On October 2 (KST), Starship Entertainment, the agency of girl group IVE, released an official statement addressing the controversy over a trademark lawsuit involving a leather workshop using the name “IVE.”
Starship clarified:
“We confirm that this action was independently carried out by an agent without prior consultation with the company.”
The company explained that once they learned about the issue, they immediately reviewed the case and withdrew the lawsuit.
Apology to Fans and Public
Starship expressed regret over the confusion the matter caused, stating:
“We deeply regret the confusion this has caused to many people.”
They emphasized their commitment to protecting artists while also respecting long-standing businesses, promising to be more careful in the future to avoid similar misunderstandings.
Background on the Controversy
The issue began on September 30, when the owner of IVE Leather Goods, a workshop that registered its trademark back in 2019, revealed they had received notice of a trademark cancellation trial from Starship.
The owner explained:
“We completed our trademark registration in 2019, while IVE debuted in 2021. Even though we’ve participated in exhibitions and collaborations with public institutions, why would they challenge our trademark like this?”
Starship’s Swift Response
Once Starship realized the lawsuit was filed without their or IVE’s approval, they acted quickly to cancel the case and reassure fans.
The company closed its statement by stressing that they will manage future legal matters with extra caution to ensure IVE and DIVE are not caught up in unnecessary controversies.
