Fans (ARMY) of the famous K-pop group BTS are expressing anger and disappointment after noticing similarities between the logo of Birmingham City FC, a professional football club, and BTS's iconic logo. The controversy erupted when a photo of the football club's logo, featuring the abbreviation "PSH" on a blue background, was shared on Twitter on January 30. The caption "Soon" hinted at the arrival of Korean soccer player Paik Seung-ho to the team.
There were a lot of fans who thought the club was using the logo to represent Paik Seung-ho joining the team and the club's relationship with Korea. But soon after, BTS fans saw how much the Birmingham City FC symbol similar the BTS logo, which raised questions about possible copyright violations.
The first ever South Korean men’s player to represent Birmingham City Football Club.
— Birmingham City FC (@BCFC) January 29, 2024
Historic. 🇰🇷🔵 pic.twitter.com/9w9gShy0Uf
BTS and Big Hit Music, the company that manages them, have a track record of suing to defend their intellectual property rights. Specifically, the BTS logo is significant not only as a symbol of the group but also as a safeguarded resource for all HYBE personnel and partners, including BTS. With the Korean Intellectual Property Rights Information Office, Big Hit Music has already submitted a copyright application for the BTS logo.
The unapproved use of the BTS logo can have legal consequences, as fans pointed out, so Birmingham City FC needs to immediately take action. The football team has not issued an official statement on the matter, in spite of the increasing chaos.
I hope we’re all reporting Birmingham City Football Club?? pic.twitter.com/O4Pc1ymqVC
— 👩🚀Erika 🪐🌸🥑⟭⟬ 愛琳 (@VChileanNoona) February 1, 2024
Dear @BIGHIT_MUSIC @HYBEOFFICIALtwt this account @BCFC is using and changing BTS copyrighted logo for their "celebration" (?) by signing a new player from SK.
— kimraaaa. (@rahmdess27) February 1, 2024
Please send them a good lawsuit for using it out of BTS context and even change the word "BTS" to "PSH" pic.twitter.com/r0PL8swSjC
Not only logo even the font is same. copied fully✅ This logo is owned by @BTS_twt @bts_bighit . Hope you have good lawyer. Lawsuit is one the way! https://t.co/7xGp1VeqiG pic.twitter.com/jbfyJloxme
— ssak da bultaewora bow wow wow (@btslilsister) February 1, 2024
This event highlights the necessity for constant care in protecting the group's brand and artistic character, adding to the ongoing problems BTS and HYBE face in protecting their intellectual property against unauthorised use.
