"Spread Fake Video"…IVE Malicious Commenter Handed Prison Sentence

[Dispatch=Lee Myung-ju Reporter] A netizen who distributed false video material about IVE has been sentenced to imprisonment.

Starship Entertainment posted a notice on IVE's SNS on the 9th titled "Notice regarding legal action in response to rights infringement of artist IVE."

The company shared some results of legal proceedings. A representative stated, "The court sentenced the defendant, who was indicted for the criminal act of distributing false video material, to a prison sentence."

A cyber attacker who posted malicious videos related to Wonyoung was also reported. Netizens who spread false information were also subject to complaints. The company filed a complaint with police on this day.

The agency said, "We plan to take civil and criminal measures not only against the original creators of malicious posts but also against accounts and channels that post and distribute them."

The company further warned, "We will pursue legal responsibility to the end even in cases involving anonymous or pseudonymous accounts and overseas platforms through necessary legal procedures."

The agency also emphasized, "Going forward, we will hold those responsible to the end according to a zero-tolerance principle for serious infringements of artists' rights."

<Full statement from Starship Entertainment follows>

Hello. This is Starship Entertainment.

Our company has been conducting continuous monitoring and legal action against acts that infringe upon the rights of our artists, including the spread of false information, defamation, insults, sexual harassment, malicious slander, and the creation and distribution of false video material on online platforms and SNS targeting our artists.

In connection with this, among cases we have been handling through our legal representative Kim & Chang, the court has recently sentenced the defendant, who was indicted for criminal acts including the distribution of false video material targeting our artist, to an actual prison sentence.

Our company responded strictly during the investigation and trial process of the case, and going forward, we will hold those responsible to the end according to a zero-tolerance principle for serious infringements of rights targeting our artists.

Furthermore, our company has completed evidence collection against certain YouTube channels that have been repeatedly posting malicious content targeting our artist Wonyoung, so-called "cyber attackers," as well as posts and authors who have continued to spread false information or malicious slander on various online communities and SNS, and has filed additional complaints today.

This legal action includes acts of repeatedly posting and distributing false content related to Wonyoung, continuing to spread false information regarding the artist's personality and attitude by distorting parts of filmed videos or adding content different from facts, as well as continuing malicious slander and personal attacks.

In particular, even after objective facts have been confirmed, we are continuing to collect relevant materials regarding the act of repeatedly posting and re-distributing identical or similar false content, or spreading false information by arbitrarily editing and distorting certain scenes from videos.

Our company will continue monitoring not only the original creators of malicious posts and content but also accounts and channels that repeatedly post and distribute them, and will take necessary civil and criminal measures. Even in cases involving anonymous or pseudonymous accounts and overseas platforms, we will proceed with necessary legal procedures regardless of domestic or overseas platforms, identify the creators and distributors, and hold them responsible to the end.

Going forward, our company will continue active legal action to protect the rights of our artists so that they can engage in activities in a safe environment.

Thank you.