Amid the lawsuit battle between FIFTY FIFTY and ATTRAKT, the girl group might not be able to promote abroad after the agency's recent move.

What happened?

ATTRAKT Applies for FIFTY FIFTY's Trademark Rights in US, UK, China, & Japan

On July 25, it has been revealed that ATTRAKT, the company that launched the global girl group FIFTY FIFTY, applied for trademark rights in the United States, the United Kingdom, China, and Japan.

According to the exclusive coverage of the Munhwa Ilbo, the company submitted applications for trademark rights of "FIFTY FIFTY" in four major K-pop consumer countries on July 5, on top of its initial application in Korea.

Earlier on May 15, the agency applied for the trademark of FIFTY FIFTY's English name in the country.

ALSO READ: FIFTY FIFTY To Be Blacklisted? KOMCA Withholds 'Cupid' Royalties

As of this day, the application number has already been given and is in the process of official registration.

As a result, FIFTY FIFTY, comprised of Aran, Sio, Saena and Keena, may not be able to promote or pursue their independent overseas activities as a group under the name without the label's consent, even if their termination of the contract with ATTRAKT will be approved.

In another case, the quartet can continue to promote as a group, but they will have to give up their initial name and promote under a new group name.

Here's Update on FIFTY FIFTY Trademark Application in Korea — What Will Happen to the Group Now?

Meanwhile, on July 19, it was reported that the four members also applied for the trademark rights of their Korean name.

However, in accordance with the "Trademark Priority System under the Trademark Act" in the U.S. and the U.K., "May 15," the date when the first application for trademark in Korea was filed will be used as the standard.

So, even if the four members apply for a trademark overseas in the future, the priority right remains with ATTRAKT.

FIFTY FIFTY, who made huge waves with their multihit, "Cupid," sat atop both the U.S. Billboard and the U.K. music charts. With this, there is a huge possibility that the members will receive offers from the biggest foreign record labels.

But only solo activities will be possible and group albums or releases may not happen once ATTRAKT acquires all trademark rights of the group.

"Like the names BTS and BLACKPINK, each group name reveals their identity. If a rookie less than a year after its debut cannot use the trademark, their activities will inevitably decrease significantly.

In addition, overseas, where the concept of intellectual property (IP) rights is strong, they can be embroiled in a huge lawsuit while using the trademark without rights.

In the U.S. and other countries, considering the existence of a punitive damage compensation system, it is absurd to arbitrarily use a specific trademark."

READ MORE HERE: This is How FIFTY FIFTY Beat NewJeans' Billboard Record Despite Being 'Underrated'

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Written by Eunice Dawson.