As it was confirmed that actor and singer Lee Seung-gi's portrait rights were illegally used, his agency has initiated legal action.
On the afternoon of the 15th, Lee Seung-gi's agency, Big Planet Made Entertainment, released an official statement saying, "Recently, it has been confirmed that our artist Lee Seung-gi's portrait rights have been illegally used for false advertising on an internet investment site. The site is inducing investments with phrases like 'recommendation from acquaintances' and 'recruiting investors,' and is using images as if Lee Seung-gi is a model for the company without permission."
They continued, "We are currently in the process of sending a notice to the site operator and taking all civil and criminal legal actions, including filing a lawsuit."
The agency stated, "Lee Seung-gi has no connection with the company in question, and we ask everyone to be particularly cautious about the illegal use of portrait rights and the inducement of investments using them. We will not tolerate any illegal behavior that uses our artist's portrait rights without permission. We will continue to take legal action without leniency to protect Lee Seung-gi's portrait rights and prevent public harm."
Full statement below.
Hello. This is Big Planet Made Entertainment.
It has recently been confirmed that our artist Lee Seung-gi's portrait rights have been illegally used for false advertising on an internet investment site.
The site is inducing investments with phrases like 'recommendation from acquaintances' and 'recruiting investors,' and is using images as if Lee Seung-gi is a model for the company without permission.
Accordingly, we are currently in the process of sending a notice to the site operator and taking all civil and criminal legal actions, including filing a lawsuit.
Lee Seung-gi has no connection with the company in question, and we ask everyone to be particularly cautious about the illegal use of portrait rights and the inducement of investments using them.
We will not tolerate any illegal behavior that uses our artist's portrait rights without permission. We will continue to take legal action without leniency to protect Lee Seung-gi's portrait rights and prevent public harm.
Thank you.
[Son Jin-ah, MK Sports Reporter]
