“It would be difficult to hold him responsible”: KOMCA reacts on G-Dragon copyright infringement legal battle 

The Korean Music Copyright Association (KOMCA) has reportedly responded to a copyright infringement legal battle involving Kwon Ji-Young, popularly known as G-Dragon. According to the Korea Herald, the Drama singer and Yang Hyun-suk, head of the agency YG Entertainment, were being probed after a composer alleged that the duo had "illegally copied" their song, G-Dragon.

G-Dragon is reportedly the first "full member" of KOMCA. X user Kpop Charts took to their channel on August 13 to report on the lawsuit that was filed in November 2024. Overlooking the situation, the association's representative reportedly spoke to Dispatch and noted,

"GD was not registered as the copyright holder for the song in question. It would be difficult to hold him responsible unless royalties were paid."

Explained: G-Dragon copyright infringement legal battle

KOMCA has reportedly responded to Kwon Ji-Young's copyright infringement legal battle with a composer. The plaintiff was reportedly given credits as the "composer and arranger" of the song when it was registered with KOMCA in 2001. The individual has alleged that YG Entertainment "copied", retitled, My Age Is Thirteen, and released as part of the singer's 2010 album, Shine A Light.

According to the Korea Herald, police had reportedly raided YG Entertainment's Seoul headquarters since the investigation commenced.

An official at YG Entertainment noted that the use of the song was not copyright infringement and explained,

"The artist (G-Dragon) included two different songs during his solo concert in 2009 that happened to have the same title on the setlist, so this is not a case of copyright infringement."

They added,

"We thought there might be confusion because the two song titles are the same. We only changed the first verse of Mr. A's song to 'I'm Thirteen', so it is not an unauthorized copy."

A KOMCA official spoke to the outlet and noted,

"Since the song title was only changed, it does not constitute unauthorized duplication. There is a possibility of copyright infringement (the right to maintain integrity) under the investigative authorities' judgment."

According to Dispatch, the Mapo Police Station is currently investigating the case against the K-pop singer and doesn't have "specific details."

The legal lawsuit involving Kwon Ji-Young is currently under investigation, with KOMCA emphasising that it is difficult to hold GD responsible as he doesn't have copyright registration.

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