The individual who accused IU of plagiarism failed to appear in court during the first trial of the plagiarism lawsuit filed by the singer against them.
IU’s Plagiarism Lawsuit First Trial Rescheduled as ‘A’ Fails to Attend
In May 2023, a person identified as “A” filed a complaint against IU with the Seoul Gangnam Police Station, alleging violations of the Copyright Law. The complaint cited six songs suspected of plagiarism: “The Red Shoes,” “Good Day,” “BBIBBI,” “Pitiful,” “Boo,” and “Celebrity.” Among these, IU is credited with writing and composing “Celebrity” and producing and composing “BBIBBI.” However, the complaint was dismissed as it pointed out songs that IU did not compose or write. Following these allegations, IU’s agency vowed to take strong legal action.
In response, IU filed a lawsuit against “A,” seeking damages for defamation, infringement of personal rights, and false accusations. The Seoul Central District Court’s Division 29 held the first trial of this lawsuit on July 24. While IU’s representative attended the court session, the defendant did not show up and did not send a representative.
1. The police and the court rejected the plagiarism complaint, meaning that IU did not plagiarize.
2. Because Mr. A and his representative did not attend today's trial, IU requested that Mr. A be tried in the US.
Mr. A will be responsible for both civil and criminal matters pic.twitter.com/43GedKlFLE— Phạm Thùy Chi (@hoalusi) July 24, 2024
IU’s legal team indicated that “A” is currently in the United States, and they are in the process of obtaining identity information through a trial in the US. This process is expected to take an additional three to four months. Consequently, IU’s side requested an extension to allow more time to present their case adequately.
The court accepted this request and agreed to reschedule the trial. The new trial date will be determined once the defendant is identified. This development highlights the complexities involved in international legal disputes and the challenges faced by individuals seeking justice across borders.
The plagiarism allegations and subsequent legal actions have significantly impacted IU, one of South Korea’s most beloved singers. The court’s decision to grant an extension underscores the importance of a thorough and fair legal process. Fans and the public are closely following the case, awaiting further developments as IU continues to defend her reputation and artistic integrity.