EXO-CBX members Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin are embroiled in a legal dispute with their former agency, SM Entertainment.
The conflict centers around allegations of a breach of contract concerning intellectual property (IP) fees. SM Entertainment has filed a lawsuit claiming that EXO-CBX failed to pay for the use of its assets, such as music and other IP, for over six months.
In a swift response, EXO-CBX filed a countersuit challenging SM’s claims. The group argues that their agreement with SM Entertainment does not explicitly mandate the payment of IP usage fees.
This has sparked a heated debate among fans and netizens, particularly on forums like theqoo, where opinions on the matter are divided. Some fans are surprised and disappointed, questioning both the legality and ethics of the group’s actions if the claims are true.
EXO-CBX has stated that they never received a formal request for IP fees from SM Entertainment. They mentioned proposing a payment plan during a press conference, which they claim went unanswered by SM, adding to the confusion.
In their defense, EXO-CBX remarked, “It’s unfortunate that SM Entertainment has chosen to publicize claims of non-payment without addressing our proposal. We remain committed to resolving this matter through dialogue.”
EXO-CBX is planning a press conference on June 10, 2024, to accuse SM Entertainment of unfair treatment. This follows their decision to terminate contracts with SM over alleged breaches.
INB100, the new agency managing their activities, claims that SM ignored negotiated terms and demanded a share of the trio’s solo activities’ revenue. The press conference aims to shed light on SM’s alleged misconduct and defend EXO-CBX’s position.
