After much contention, THE BOYZ will be able to keep their name after leaving their former agency IST Entertainment.
The group’s new agency, One Hundred, reached an abrupt agreement with IST Entertainment after many days of back and forth on December 5, explaining that the trademark negotiations were made in the best interests of the members, according to Ten Asia.
One Hundred announced the highly anticipated news in a press release:
“Hi, this is CENTO.
Today (5), through a meeting with IST Entertainment, we have successfully reached a mutual agreement regarding the use of “The Boyz” brand and three key points of discussion.
After clearing up past misunderstandings and having an open and honest conversation, both ONEHUNDRED and IST Entertainment have prioritized the well-being of The Boyz members and fans, “The B”, and have come to a conclusion that guarantees happiness of everyone.
We sincerely thank IST Entertainment for approaching this negotiation with an open mind.
We deeply apologize for any inconvenience caused to fans of The Boyz and The B during this brief period of uncertainty, and ONEHUNDRED will continue to actively support the growth and protection of talent under the “The Boyz” brand.
We would also like to express our gratitude to The B’s fans and the IST Entertainment family who have supported The Boyz over the past 7 years, and kindly ask for your continued interest and warm support in the future.
Thank you.”
One Hundred had refuted IST Entertainment’s previous claims that the former agency had offered the group the rights to their alias “for free”.
“Two of the three conditions set forth in the document that IST Entertainment sent to us on Wednesday were disadvantageous to artists,” the agency said in its Thursday press release.
The conditions, the agency added, contradict the group’s ability to use the nickname for free and that only usage rights, not trademark rights, were granted, thus entitlement to IST Entertainment to the group’s branding and profits.
Once the trademark debate is resolved, the 11-member band consisting of Sangyeon, Jacob, Younghoon, Hyunjae, Juyeon, Kevin, New, Q, Ju Haknyeon, Sunwoo and Eric, can expect to leave IST Entertainment, which puts an end to the their contract. Thursday.
The group is expected to join One Hundred later this month.
