Actor Park Seo-joon has won a lawsuit against a restaurant owner who used scenes from his drama without permission for advertising purposes.
On the 3rd, Park's representatives stated, "Since 2019, we have repeatedly requested the removal of the unauthorized advertisements, which were initially taken down but then reposted. The restaurant owner continued to ignore our requests, leading to the initiation of this lawsuit."
Contrary to reports suggesting that Park Seo-joon filed a 6 billion won lawsuit based on a 10 billion won annual advertising contract multiplied by the six-year infringement period, his agency clarified, "The actual lawsuit amount is 60 million won." They explained, "While the estimated damages considering the advertising model fee is 6 billion won, the actual claim was adjusted to 60 million won, taking into account the defendant's business scale and other circumstances."
The agency further stated, "We have confirmed ongoing malicious ridicule and defamation regarding the rightful court decision. We will respond without leniency or settlement to any acts infringing on our actor's portrait rights and personal rights."
The lawsuit originated when the owner of a soy sauce marinated crab restaurant, which was a filming location for the tvN drama 'What's Wrong with Secretary Kim,' used Park Seo-joon's image on a banner without his consent.
The court ruled partially in favor of Park Seo-joon, ordering the restaurant owner, identified as A, to pay 5 million won in damages. The judge stated, "One's likeness and name should not be used in another's business without permission," but also considered "the relatively small scale of the restaurant, the nature of the business, and the form and duration of the infringement," setting the compensation at 5 million won.