An Executive Partner at Korean member firm LIWU Law Group, Kyong Sok Chong is a prominent figure in international entertainment and intellectual property (IP) law, known for his innovative approach to complex legal challenges in the digital age. With a deep understanding of both local and international legal systems, Kyong Sok Chong has represented high-profile clients in landmark cases, particularly in the entertainment and technology sectors. His practice spans a wide range of issues, including copyright infringement, defamation, and privacy concerns—issues that are increasingly relevant as global entertainment continues to intertwine with digital media.
Defending Intellectual Property in the Digital Era
Kyong Sok’s practice is centered around safeguarding the intellectual property rights of creators and entertainers in an ever-evolving digital landscape. One of the key areas he has made a significant impact is in copyright law, where he has worked on high-profile cases involving global entertainment franchises and internet platforms.
“Baby Shark” Copyright Infringement
In one of his most notable cases, Kyong Sok Chong represented a U.S. kid’s song composer against Pinkfong, the creator of the viral “Baby Shark” song, in a copyright infringement case. This legal battle is involved in complicated international music copyright law issues, a public domain and its derivatives, and substantial similarity between derivatives. This case has currently been reviewed by the Supreme Court of Korea more than one and half years, and it will be a landmark case in the Korean copyright law.
Kyong Sok was also featured in a prominent Al Jazeera interview where he discussed the implications of copyright law in the context of viral content. In addition, his work shed light on the complex legal issues surrounding the ownership and enforcement of rights in the digital entertainment space.
Psy’s “Gangnam Style” Plagiarism Lawsuit
Kyong Sok Chong has also been involved in plagiarism and copyright infringement cases for globally recognized artists. He represented Psy, the singer behind the worldwide hit “Gangnam Style,” in a high-profile plagiarism case covered by The Korea Herald. The case revolved around accusations of uncredited use of elements from other works, highlighting Kyongsok’s ability to navigate the complexities of music copyright law and protect his client’s interests on the international stage.
His expertise also extends to the intersection of entertainment and property law, as seen in his representation of Psy in another case related to his real estate dealings. This case garnered attention in international media, including coverage by NPR and New York Times, and other international media as well. His practice journey extended to European countries by representing and protecting Psy in an infringement case of publicity right and a contractual dispute as well.
A Breakthrough Case in Architectural Copyright Law
Kyong Sok Chong’s recent achievement in copyright law has received much attention from the media and the industry. After four years’ bench trial, Kyongsok got a demolition decision by the Seoul Central District in his architectural copyright case representing a very famous architect. The demolition decision must be the first case in an architectural plagiarism of the Korean copyright law and in the international copyright law as well. His expertise in this area was followed by another big case, against the Seoul Metropolitan Office’s Seoul Ferris project.
Protecting Reputation and Privacy in the Digital Age
As the internet continues to play a larger role in entertainment, issues related to defamation and anonymity have become a critical focus of Kyong Sok Chong’s practice. He has been at the forefront of using legal tools to protect the reputations of celebrities and artists from harmful online content.
Unmasking an Anonymous YouTube User
One of Kyong Sok Chong’s most groundbreaking cases involved his representation of Wongyoung Jang, a member of the popular K-pop girl group IVE, in a legal battle to unmask an anonymous YouTube user. The case, which made headlines as the first of its kind in Korea, saw Kyong Sok use the U.S. discovery system to track and identify the individual behind defamatory contents.
This case has attracted international attention, with Kyong Sok being interviewed by major outlets like the New York Times and Reuters. In these interviews, he explained the legal strategy behind the case, which involved leveraging international legal mechanisms to address online defamation and protect the reputations of his clients in the rapidly expanding digital world.
Kyong Sok’s success in this case has set a new precedent for how entertainment professionals and artists can protect their rights in an increasingly online and globalized world.
A Commitment to International Collaboration
Kyong Sok Chong’s practice is defined by his ability to work across jurisdictions and navigate the complexities of international law. His extensive experience in both Korean and U.S. legal systems has allowed him to bring innovative solutions to global legal challenges, particularly those arising in the entertainment and digital media sectors. His ability to blend his deep knowledge of Korean law with
international legal frameworks makes him an invaluable resource for clients looking to protect their intellectual property, reputation, and privacy on a global scale.
With ongoing involvement in high-profile international cases and interviews with leading news outlets, Kyong Sok Chong remains a pivotal figure in shaping the future of entertainment law and copyright law.
