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The Korea Music Copyright Association won the first trial in a music copyright lawsuit related to the movie 'Bohemian Rhapsody' against CJ CGV.



According to the Korea Music Copyright Association (Umhyup) on the 31st, the Seoul Central District Court recently ruled that "CGV should pay about 110 million won" in a lawsuit filed by Umhyup against CJ CGV for damages.



In 2019, Eumjeohyup filed a lawsuit against CGV saying, "We should pay about 200 million won for the theater performance fee for 'Bohemian Rhapsody'."



The British Music Copyright Association (PRS) inquired about the collection of copyrights at a time when 'Bohemian Rhapsody' was ranked No. After an internal review, it is known that they have filed a lawsuit to collect performance rights.



If a 'Korean movie' with music is currently being screened in a theater, the 'performance right' is applied among the music copyrights, and the performance right fee is paid to the Musical Instruments Association.



Previously, in 2016, the Supreme Court ruled that theaters did not need to pay performance rights, but as the Korean film industry and the Music Basketball Association agreed to collect the royalties in lump sum, the music currently inserted into Korean films will be performed on the eumjeohyup regardless of nationality. I've been given the authority.



However, if a 'foreign movie' with music was shown at the theater, no performance fee was paid.

Based on the mutual management agreement between the British Music Copyright Association (PRS), which manages the songs of the band 'Queen', and the Korea Music Copyright Association, CGV will pay royalties for 31 songs used in 'Bohemian Rhapsody' in the movie. claimed not to pay.



In response, CJ CGV countered, saying, "The Music Basketball Association does not have the authority to collect royalties for overseas music (Queen's music) used in 'Bohemian Rhapsody'."

However, the court ruled in favor of Eumjeohyup on the basis of the mutual management contract between PRS and Eumjeohyup.

The act of CGV performing (screening a movie) of music inserted into a movie without permission from the Bass Association is considered to be copyright infringement.



Regarding the contents of the ruling, the Eum Jeohyup said, "It is meaningful in that it can be an opportunity to correct the wrong practice of not having to pay music copyright fees for overseas movies, and I am happy that Korea is making progress as a culturally advanced country." told



He continued, "In Korea, copyright awareness is still insufficient, and there is a widespread perception that we should start using it before it becomes a problem.