YG Entertainment has successfully defended its right to register certain trademarks for its new K-pop girl group in Singapore. The entertainment agency overcame opposition from Monster Energy Company (MEC), an American manufacturer of energy drinks. The case, filed in a Singapore court, concluded with the court dismissing MEC’s objections and siding with YG Entertainment.
YG, known for managing superstars like BIGBANG and BLACKPINK, previously applied to trademark “BABYMONSTER” and “BABYMONSTERS.” These trademarks were for a range of products including clothing and music, specifically for their new girl group, BABYMONSTER.
BABYMONSTER, consisting of six members—Asa, Chiquita, Pharita, Rami, Rora, and Ruka—debuted on November 27, 2023. They were named Rookie of the Year – Global Streaming at the Circle Chart Music Awards for their first single, “Batter Up.” They’re set to release their new song, “Stuck in the Middle,” on February 1.
YG Entertainment Wins Trademark Case Against Monster Energy
The victory is a notable one for YG
MEC, known for their energy drinks, opposed YG’s trademark applications, arguing that the names were too similar to their own “MONSTER” trademarks and could confuse consumers. However, the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) disagreed, finding the names different enough, especially with the addition of “BABY.”
The adjudicator, Ravindran Muthucumarasamy, referred to a past case, The Singapore Professional Golfers’ Association v Chen Eng Waye and others. Muthucumarasamy stressed the need to first see if a trademark really stands out as unique for specific goods or services. He concluded, “Having considered all the pleadings and evidence filed and the submissions made in writing and during the hearing, I find that the oppositions fail on all grounds.” MEC was also ordered to pay YG’s legal fees of around 17,400 SGD (13,000 USD).
This isn’t the first clash between these two companies. In 2020, the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) also sided with YG in a similar dispute. This victory is a notable one for YG Entertainment, reinforcing the importance of distinct trademarks in the global entertainment industry. – K-Pop News Writer
Featured Image: MEC failed to block YG’s bid for trademarks. Sources: Top PNG, X/@MonsterEnergy.