BTS’s Exclusion from Military App’s Celebrity Soldier List Sparks Discussions on IP Rights

In recent developments, all seven members of BTS are undergoing mandatory military service, leading to a significant reduction in communication between the globally renowned group and their fans. With the limited avenues for updates, some fans have turned to The Camp app, the official Korean military app, although opinions on its use are divided.

Initially designed to facilitate military communication and enable family and friends to send messages to newly enlisted trainees, The Camp has seen a surge in popularity among fans seeking updates on their favorite celebrities during enlistment, notably BTS. The app’s developer, Enable Daon Soft, has reported a substantial increase in users since BTS’s enlistment, leading to potential profitability for the first time since its establishment, with credit given to BTS’s dedicated fanbase.

However, recent reports on December 23, KST, highlight an intriguing development within the app. In the “Soldier Registration” section, there is a subsection titled “Recommended Star Soldier,” which features around 30 popular soldiers and trainees, excluding all BTS members as of December 22.

The CEO of Enable Daon Soft, Jang Cheol Min, clarified that this omission is due to BIGHIT MUSIC holding the publicity rights of BTS members. As a result, only the agency has the authority to derive profits by using the members’ personal identities, such as their names and portraits. Jang acknowledged a misunderstanding regarding The Camp’s intentions, clarifying that the platform is not meant to conduct business through the enlisted idols. Consequently, artists under major management companies, including BTS, were removed from the list.

This move has resonated positively with BTS fans, alleviating concerns about potential exploitation of the members by the platform. The concerns were initially sparked when The Camp announced plans to leverage enlisted celebrities’ Intellectual Property (IP) rights for a Private Brand and expansion into the e-commerce market. While BTS’s Jin was previously featured on the “Recommended Star Soldiers” list in May, the entire group has now been excluded. The ongoing discussions reflect the delicate balance between fans’ desire for updates and the protection of artists’ rights in the evolving landscape of celebrity endorsements and military service.

Source: KB