The Camp: BTS issued a warning to the Armed Forces communication platform for using their likeness without permission

BTS issued a warning to the Armed Forces communication platform “The Camp” for using their likeness without permission.

On the 9th, Big Hit Music said, “Last month, we sent a certificate of content to The Camp (military consolation letter app) regarding the violation of publicity rights by using BTS‘s likeness and name without permission from BTS and the agency.”

The agency added, “We plan to strengthen monitoring at the agency level and take strict action against acts that infringe on publicity rights and use them commercially, on which the company and artists have invested enormous capital and effort.”

It is said that The Camp’s commercial activities were first caught by fans. According to one media outlet, the agency that confirmed this sent a content certificate to the operator of “The Camp” and demanded that the unauthorized use of BTS members’ likenesses and names be immediately stopped.

“The Camp” is well known as an app that allows family members or acquaintances of enlisted trainees to send condolence letters online. However, the management company recently opened an individual community for BTS members and operated it by adding the word ‘Official’ or selling dolls and name tag packages using the members’ real names, and the agency believed that such actions infringed on BTS IP (intellectual property rights).  It is reported that the dolls were sold at a high price, worth 56,000 won each.

In response to HYBE’s protest, The Camp operator took down BTS-related posts and stopped selling dolls and name tag packages. In the case of the community, it was reported that fans protested that it was a community created voluntarily.

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