Tokyo, Japan, (September 4, 2007) – SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD. (Square Enix) today issued a statement regarding an indictment by the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office against Phantom Entertainment Group (Phantom) and Mr. HONG Jeong-ho in response to the Square Enix’s criminal complaint against them. The complaint alleges that Phantom, a Korean talent agency, used portions of the Square Enix CG-animated film FINAL FANTASY® VII ADVENT CHILDRENTM without obtaining permission from Square Enix. This includes the modification and adaptation of scenes into live-action shots, and the commercial appropriation of these live-action shots for IVY’s Yuhok ui Sonata (Sonata of Temptation) music video directed and produced by Mr. HONG Jeong-ho. IVY is a popular recording artist belonging to Phantom.
Statement
The attorney for Square Enix has informed us today that Phantom and Mr. HONG Jeong-ho have been indicted by the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office for the copyright infringement including illegal modification and adaptation of scenes from Square Enix’s CG-animated film FINAL FANTASY VII ADVENT CHILDREN into live-action shots, and illegal appropriation of these live-action shots for the music video directed and produced by Mr. HONG Jeong-ho without obtaining permission from Square Enix.
Square Enix had filed a criminal complaint with the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office against Phantom and Mr. HONG Jeong-ho on March 20, 2007. Square Enix appreciates the indictment which shows that the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office recognizes the maliciousness of the alleged infringement.
Square Enix will continue to take decisive action against any infringements upon the Company's intellectual property, recognizing that this property is one of our most crucial resources.
SQUARE ENIX Files Copyright Infringement Lawsuit in South Korea
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