Hello. This is BIGHIT MUSIC. We regularly take legal action against authors of malicious posts regarding BTS for offenses including defamation, personal attacks, sexual harassment, spread of false information, and ill-intentioned criticism. We wish to provide an update on our progress. This quarter, we have continued to gather evidence of activities violating the artist’s rights, including personal attacks and defamation, through fan reports and our internal monitoring system. Consequently, we have filed several complaints with the investigative agency. As we made clear in separate announcements in April and May, various malicious rumors surrounding the artist are untrue and groundless. We have continuously collected evidence on those who participated in the organized rumor-mongering efforts and included them in the complaints. We want to clarify once again that there is no connection between BIGHIT MUSIC and BTS, and Body & Brain. Circulating rumors alleging the artist’s or the artist’s lyrics’ association with Body & Brain are fictitious. Upon discovering Body & Brain's illegal use of BTS's intellectual property rights, we promptly demanded the removal of the content in question and received a commitment to prevent any future occurrences. Should similar issues arise in the future, we will take decisive legal action to uphold and protect the artists' intellectual property rights in line with our principle. Likewise, in February, we communicated a cease and desist request to Global Cyber University to stop the unauthorized use of BTS’ intellectual property rights. We also want to make clear that rumors of surreptitious chart manipulation and unethical marketing are a product of fabrication and completely unconnected to the artist. Apart from the authors of the malicious posts, we are taking separate legal action against those who violated the artist’s privacy. We are also pursuing civil and criminal cases against so-called “cyber wreckers” including the YouTube channel 탈덕수용소(“Sojang”). In 2022, we litigated against 탈덕수용소 for defamation and obstruction of business and the investigative agency had previously decided to suspend the investigation. However, with our persistent request for the resumption of investigation to be authorized, and our provision of personal information regarding 탈덕수용소 to the investigative agency, the case has been reopened and is currently being investigated. An additional civil suit was filed earlier this year to seek damages for defamation and other illegal acts committed by 탈덕수용소 and is expected to go to trial soon. As for the previous complaints filed, multiple cases were forwarded to the prosecutor’s office and the suspects are awaiting disposition. We will endeavor to make sure that the suspects are held accountable regardless of how long it may take. We are persisting with collecting, reporting, and taking legal action against malicious posts about the members of BTS, who are currently fulfilling their mandatory military service. Our legal efforts will continue during their vacancy and we will take severe action against the suspects. There will be no leniency or settlement under any circumstances. Please do not hesitate to report to BIGHIT MUSIC’s official legal response hotline by email at protect@bighitmusic.co.kr. We deeply appreciate your unwavering love and support for BTS. BIGHIT MUSIC will continue to work to ensure that the rights of our artists are fully protected. Thank you.
