Ahn Sung-il is facing allegations of using tricks to secure the copyright of FIFTY FIFTY's song 'CUPID'
2023-07-06 14:59
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Phone conversation transcript between Ahn Sung-il, the representative of The Givers, and Jeon Hong-jun, the representative of ATTRAKT, has been released
There have been reports that An Sung-il, the CEO of The Givers, used a trick to secure the copyright of the song 'CUPID.'
Dispatch revealed a recorded conversation between An Sung-il, the CEO of The Givers, and Jeon Hong-jun, the CEO of ATTRAKT, regarding the copyright holders of the song 'CUPID.' In the recording, Jeon Hong-jun asked An Sung-il about the absence of the name of a foreign composer in the copyright holders of the song 'CUPID.' An Sung-il replied that it would take three months, but even after three months, there was no change.
An Sung-il purchased the song from Swedish composers by paying them approximately $9,000 (11.7 million won). According to Dispatch, the copyright holders of 'CUPID' include An Sung-il, The Givers, Keena, a member of the group FIFTY FIFTY, and an employee of The Givers identified as Mr. A. An Sung-il and The Givers hold about 95% of the shares. However, the industry criticized the practice of paying the composer to obtain rights and putting one's own name as the composer as a "trick."
Dispatch quoted a representative from the Korea Music Copyright Association and B, a famous idol and composer, stating that it is an "unbelievable trick" and that buying the rights does not make someone a composer. Usually, the composer's name should be listed under "author," and the purchaser's name should be listed under "rights holder."
The Givers have stated that they have no plans to provide further statements regarding the report and referred to the materials previously released by The Givers for reference.
ATTRAKT filed a complaint with the police against An Sung-il and three others on June 27th, accusing them of secretly purchasing the copyright without providing relevant information during the process of purchasing the song 'CUPID' from overseas composers.
The Givers rebutted the allegations, stating that they obtained the rights to 'CUPID' through proper procedures and after discussions with the composers, and they paid the appropriate fees for the rights.
