Fairlane Raymundo

HYBE Secures Identity Information of YouTubers Defaming Its Artist

Added 2024-11-29 05:38:51 +0000 UTC

HYBE has successfully identified the individuals behind YouTube channels maliciously defaming its artists. This was made possible after a U.S. court authorized Google and YouTube to provide evidence for use in a foreign legal proceeding. HYBE now plans to hold the operators of these channels accountable through civil and criminal legal actions in South Korea.

On the 27th (local time), Chief Magistrate Judge Donna M. Ryu of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California approved a request by HYBE, Belift Lab, and Source Music to issue a subpoena to Google. The court stated, “The petitioners’ request is granted, and Google must provide all relevant information related to the YouTube channels to the petitioners within 30 days.”

Previously, HYBE alleged that several YouTube channels, including “Cute Rabbit Jjang,” “EnterPick,” and “People Box,” had spread false information. These channels accused Belift Lab’s K-pop group ILLIT of plagiarizing other artists’ content and criticized Source Music’s group LE SSERAFIM, claiming the members’ skills were concealed.

In response, HYBE filed eight civil lawsuits on August 30 with the Seoul Western District Court, demanding the identification of the YouTube channel operators. However, as their identities remained undiscovered, HYBE sought the issuance of subpoenas in the U.S. court.

HYBE requested Google to provide documents and information capable of identifying the individuals who created, operated, or logged into these YouTube channels. The gathered evidence will be used in the ongoing civil lawsuits in South Korea. Google has the right to object to the subpoena once it is issued.

Judge Ryu stated, “This subpoena request is neither overly intrusive nor excessively burdensome, as it seeks only the necessary information. Considering this, the issuance is approved.” She added that Google must provide the requested information to the petitioners, and the YouTube channel operators will have 30 days to contest the subpoena.