# Trademark Complaint over “News Factory”: TBS and Kim Eo-jun

Broadcaster Kim Eo-jun, who presents “Kim Eo-jun's Humility Is Hard: News Factory,” faced a complaint alleging a violation of the Trademark Act.

Source: https://www.iplexlaw.co.kr/en/blog/780751

HOME / NEWS & INSIGHTS NEWS & INSIGHTS Trademark Complaint over “News Factory”: TBS and Kim Eo-jun Broadcaster Kim Eo-jun, who presents “Kim Eo-jun's Humility Is Hard: News Factory,” faced a complaint alleging a violation of the Trademark Act. Trademarks 2023.01.17 published IPLEX 1 min read Broadcaster Kim Eo-jun, who presents “Kim Eo-jun's Humility Is Hard: News Factory,” faced a complaint alleging a violation of the Trademark Act. As reported in January 2023, a complaint alleged that Kim Eo-jun's use of “News Factory” in his YouTube program title violated the Trademark Act and the Unfair Competition Prevention Act. TBS filed applications for “TBS News Factory Weekend Special” and “TBS News Factory” in June 2022 and obtained registrations on 13 October 2022, according to this report. <TBS registered mark; designated services include radio broadcasting> The complaint alleged that Kim used a mark similar to TBS's registered mark without authorization and reproduced the studio presentation in a way that generated unfair benefits. These were allegations in the complaint, not findings of infringement by a court. The article noted that Kim's trademark application followed TBS's registration and anticipated a possible refusal based on TBS's earlier mark. That was a prediction at the time of publication, not a reported final decision. The dispute illustrates why YouTube creators should consider trademark clearance and protection for their channel names. Read the Korean source This article reflects the information available when it was published. Contact us to discuss your circumstances. Discuss this topic ↗ All articles Related service: Designs & trade marks ↗ TALK TO IPLEX Discuss your IP questions We consider your technology and business needs together. ↗ Contact us Newer Trademark Similarity Case: Foodgen ↗ Older Trademark Similarity Case: Lee Woo-il’s Cartoon ↗ Related insights Trademarks 2026.10.01 TikTok for confectionery: dilution can prevent registration in Korea Korean Patent Court case 2025Heo10379 explains why different goods and later commercial success did not overcome the reputation and distinctiveness of TikTok. ↗ Read article Trademarks 2026.09.30 Can Fear of a Trade Mark Dispute Justify Non-Use? Korean Supreme Court decision 2024후10504 separates an intention to launch from actual use and objective obstacles beyond the owner’s control. ↗ Read article Trademarks 2026.09.29 An App Name: A Mark for Software or for the Service It Delivers? The 010PAY decision, 2025허10405, considers actual transactions, revenue and the proper subject of Korean trade mark scope proceedings. ↗ Read article

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