The “Happiness” is now being maintained, with a settlement being reached between indie band Red Velvet and SM Entertainment, after the agency was served with documents stating an infringement occurred in relation to the band’s name.
Red Velvet stated their case in a letter, pleading for SM to make some type of change, “We are a powerless indie band. If SM’s girl group is to debut, our activities will become difficult to carry out… We are a band who have just taken our first steps. We also have a strong attachment to the team name. Please help us so that we will be able to promote as Red Velvet.”
The indie group had also posted on their forum their reaction to SM’s choice of name, stating that, “SM couldn’t possibly have not searched music sites before deciding on a team name…”. They pleaded for SM to reconsider, as well as expressed the difficulties the group will face in terms of promoting if the girl group debuts under that name. The indie band has not trademarked their name at all since their November debut in 2013.
Recently, a representative of SM has stated the following: “We met with the two-member band Red Velvet and reached an agreement. Both parties decided to continue using their team names. SM′s new girl group Red Velvet will thus be able to continue promoting as scheduled.” Also adding, “We thank the indie band Red Velvet for their consideration.”
While the fate of SM’s Red Velvet is cemented, that of the indie group is still uncertain. This not the first time a group has faced this sort of situation. YG Entertainment had a similar issue when 2NE1 was set to debut under the name “21,” but since there was already an artist under that name, the 4-member girl group name was dubbed ‘2NE1’ instead.
So Officially KMusic readers what do you think of SM Entertainment’s choice to bear the name regardless of already being in use by another group? Share your comments below!
Source: Mwave
Edited by: Laura Dees
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