Black mods get some love :(
Love these. I saw that its selling on zFrontier too? but it's not stated here.
would it be an issue if i got them from there?
Will there ever be an option to buy the base kit + the inversed A C & N keys? Not really keen on the other novelties so not sure if I want to drop an additional $60 just to use 3 keys.Officially from the group buy, sadly no. Maybe you can make a post on reddit on here and ask people who buy it to buy/trade only the ACN keys
Love these. I saw that its selling on zFrontier too? but it's not stated here.Yes, zFrontier is our Asia proxy, they're official so have full confidence when purchasing there. Their price might be higher but for Asia people (like me) the extra price justifies it because they give free shipping for order $100, even at some store whose location is quite near Asia (SEA to be precise), the shipping for GMK base sets is usually over $20.
would it be an issue if i got them from there?
Due to a copyright notice from YG, the Korean entertainment company that owns BLACKPINK, we have had to take down the keycap set.
Until the artist modifies the set to have less reference to the K-Pop group, we will be unable to sell GMK Blink or anything related to "BLINK" as YG uses the term "BLINK" for their K-Pop group.
Hi all,
I wrote TKC Support and just received an answer:QuoteDue to a copyright notice from YG, the Korean entertainment company that owns BLACKPINK, we have had to take down the keycap set.
Until the artist modifies the set to have less reference to the K-Pop group, we will be unable to sell GMK Blink or anything related to "BLINK" as YG uses the term "BLINK" for their K-Pop group.
By having to be modified, I assume the only issue is the name? Even then, it'd be silly - a generic term for the name and black and pink colors. How do you have an infringement problem with that?
TKC grow some balls. Any legal consultant that can chime in? Calling in lawyer enjoy
Let's name it GMK Pinkblack, then
By having to be modified, I assume the only issue is the name? Even then, it'd be silly - a generic term for the name and black and pink colors. How do you have an infringement problem with that?
TKC grow some balls. Any legal consultant that can chime in? Calling in lawyer enjoy
The issue isn't doing what you need to do to win a lawsuit.
The issue is doing what you need to do to avoid a lawsuit in the first place.
By having to be modified, I assume the only issue is the name? Even then, it'd be silly - a generic term for the name and black and pink colors. How do you have an infringement problem with that?
TKC grow some balls. Any legal consultant that can chime in? Calling in lawyer enjoy
hi not a lawyer (this is not legal advice) but worked at a company that deals with people's copyright (you've heard of it)
you are simply incorrect in so many ways and i do not think it is worth spending my time explaining it
also YG is a giant company who can afford better lawyers than TKC, a startupLet's name it GMK Pinkblack, then
would also not hold up
either get a license (unlikely given the C&D) or abandon the set (smartest option)
By having to be modified, I assume the only issue is the name? Even then, it'd be silly - a generic term for the name and black and pink colors. How do you have an infringement problem with that?
TKC grow some balls. Any legal consultant that can chime in? Calling in lawyer enjoy
My man has turned on the lawyer signal. A legal consultant is loading up the thread as we speak.
Hi, I guess I'll try to add my 2 cents to the thread.
First of all, I think the set look great, and ngl, I'm sad seeing it cancel.
We probably don't know what's going on behind the scenes so I'll just make assumptions.
1- The name. Not a problem by any means it's different enough from the name of the band, names are very regulated but here, I'd be amazed if someone tell me this is actually "close enough" to the OG one. I doubt any judge would think the name is problematic here.
2- The color scheme. You can own some colors (Tiffany blue, the blackest black, space gray...), and in some situation yes, you can own some color schemes but it's so complicated that I won't go into details about it to make things easier, but that dosent apply in this situation.
3. The overall "inspiration" of the set. Some people might think that the set having KR legends, inspired by this K-Pop brand and having the same color scheme is enough to claim that it's a violation against IP rules is.... not acceptable. You're allowed to get inspiration from anyone as long as you justify of a some degree of creativity to make your creation different. Which leads to my last point.
4. The noveltie kit. The rest was perfectly fine if everything had stop there but here is the real deal. Having such a kit that have text novelties that remind the songs of the artists, novelties that replicate their faces etc. Here we have too many clues of a violation of the IP of the K-Pop Band and I definetly agree on that. (Well the deskmat aswell showing the girls should be remove too in that sense).
The solution would simply be to remove the noveltie kit and the problematic deskmat. That way the set will be different enough, and just "an inspiration" and there is no way a trial could even start with such few elements.
That said, I hope this set will comeback because there is no reason it should be canceled beside the 2 that I just mentionned.
Also note that I made things simple for the sake of everyone and that I'm specialized in Fr/EU IP so things can vary but that shouldnt affect this particular case by any means.
If someone disagree with that i'd be curious to hear them. :thumb:
Jokes aside, I seriously missed the novelty kit and deskmats (I saw text mods in the base and just scrolled past everything, honestly). Guess I'm not so crazy after all after your explanation Enjoy. :)
Hi, I guess I'll try to add my 2 cents to the thread.
First of all, I think the set look great, and ngl, I'm sad seeing it cancel.
We probably don't know what's going on behind the scenes so I'll just make assumptions.
1- The name. Not a problem by any means it's different enough from the name of the band, names are very regulated but here, I'd be amazed if someone tell me this is actually "close enough" to the OG one. I doubt any judge would think the name is problematic here.
2- The color scheme. You can own some colors (Tiffany blue, the blackest black, space gray...), and in some situation yes, you can own some color schemes but it's so complicated that I won't go into details about it to make things easier, but that dosent apply in this situation.
3. The overall "inspiration" of the set. Some people might think that the set having KR legends, inspired by this K-Pop brand and having the same color scheme is enough to claim that it's a violation against IP rules is.... not acceptable. You're allowed to get inspiration from anyone as long as you justify of a some degree of creativity to make your creation different. Which leads to my last point.
4. The noveltie kit. The rest was perfectly fine if everything had stop there but here is the real deal. Having such a kit that have text novelties that remind the songs of the artists, novelties that replicate their faces etc. Here we have too many clues of a violation of the IP of the K-Pop Band and I definetly agree on that. (Well the deskmat aswell showing the girls should be remove too in that sense).
The solution would simply be to remove the noveltie kit and the problematic deskmat. That way the set will be different enough, and just "an inspiration" and there is no way a trial could even start with such few elements.
That said, I hope this set will comeback because there is no reason it should be canceled beside the 2 that I just mentionned.
Also note that I made things simple for the sake of everyone and that I'm specialized in Fr/EU IP so things can vary but that shouldnt affect this particular case by any means.
If someone disagree with that i'd be curious to hear them. :thumb:
By having to be modified, I assume the only issue is the name? Even then, it'd be silly - a generic term for the name and black and pink colors. How do you have an infringement problem with that?
TKC grow some balls. Any legal consultant that can chime in? Calling in lawyer enjoy
hi not a lawyer (this is not legal advice) but worked at a company that deals with people's copyright (you've heard of it)
you are simply incorrect in so many ways and i do not think it is worth spending my time explaining it
also YG is a giant company who can afford better lawyers than TKC, a startupLet's name it GMK Pinkblack, then
would also not hold up
either get a license (unlikely given the C&D) or abandon the set (smartest option)
Can you explain it to me? I don't see how two generic colors tied to a human activity name could give someone legal trouble. Happy to learn something new, no sarcasm
Hello all, it's true that we got a letter from YG regarding this set. After further investigation the main culprit might be the name itself: GMK BLINK. Yes this is my fault to begin with, while I knew BLINK is indeed the name of their fanbase, I overlooked the fact that it's at the same time official and highly chance copyrighted too.(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/704853850854785094/720905074599133235/unknown.png)
Currently I'm working with Jason and his attorney regarding the next step but rest assured scrapping this set is not crossing my mind. I'm confident the Base Kit (and also the Black Kit) is not violating any copyright. Worst case is we will remove any BLACKPINK related novelties and change it to things related to KPOP music / Korean popular culture in general. But how the process will be executed will be on TK.C's term.
I'm truly sorry for this inconvenience, I know it's too dumb on the name part
Can you explain it to me? I don't see how two generic colors tied to a human activity name could give someone legal trouble. Happy to learn something new, no sarcasm
Can you explain it to me? I don't see how two generic colors tied to a human activity name could give someone legal trouble. Happy to learn something new, no sarcasm
It feels pretty straight forward to me. The name almost matches, and the novelties depict the members and various design queues from the band. Seems like a more generic novelties kit and calling in "PoB" would do the trick. That said.... does OP want to produce a more generic PoB set?
The novelties (even though I pre-ordered it, RIP) aren't what make the set for me - I really like the combination of black, pink, and hangul, which seem to not be the legally contentious part
The novelties (even though I pre-ordered it, RIP) aren't what make the set for me - I really like the combination of black, pink, and hangul, which seem to not be the legally contentious part
Exactly the same for me. I too have ordered the novelties but I would be just as happy with only the base kit. I do like the inverted C and N very much tho.
Really hope this will be resolved
Exactly the same for me. I too have ordered the novelties but I would be just as happy with only the base kit. I do like the inverted C and N very much tho.
Really hope this will be resolved
That was exactly my sentiment; I liked those keys but wasn't sure it was worth justifying $60 USD for what was essentially 3 keys.Exactly the same for me. I too have ordered the novelties but I would be just as happy with only the base kit. I do like the inverted C and N very much tho.
Really hope this will be resolved
+1. Really liked the inverted A C N keys. Was contemplating on the novelties kit since I really only wanted 3 keys but definitely gonna get myself a base kit.
Wouldnt mind paying extra to add the A C N keys into the base kit.
Hello, sorry for the long silence. I wanna wait for it to be as clear as daylight to me when I release further statement about this, hence the long wait, but since this has been almost 2 weeks already since the suspended sale, I think I owe an explanation.
Currently the set is on hold because copyright issues as you all might already know.
1. So what are the next plan? Currently we are in talks with our own attorney for how we gonna respond regarding the matters.
2. Will the set coming back? Personally I won't scrape this set. The worst outcome will be it won't have anything related to Blackpink (the girlband) at all but I think something like inverted A C N is quite universal.
3. How the current buy will be resolved? This is on TK.C hands, and back to point 1, we still in talks with our attorney.
I will post things ASAP when we got follow up. Let's pray the best for this set :-[
After internal discussion, we have decided the best path forward is to cancel this GB. We are processing refunds to all participants.
Ok guys and girls, after a long discussion with the team, I’m here to apologize that this set will be cancelled for now.
All current buyer will be refunded accordingly as soon as possible.
I will redesign the set so the same things won’t happen again but it will take some time until we can launch it back.
Again, I’m truly sorry for this inconvenience and of course thank you very very very much for your support to this set ;D it really means a lot to me!
PS we might get back to the IC thread for future updates regarding the changes ;)
Ok guys and girls, after a long discussion with the team, I’m here to apologize that this set will be cancelled for now.
All current buyer will be refunded accordingly as soon as possible.
I will redesign the set so the same things won’t happen again but it will take some time until we can launch it back.
Again, I’m truly sorry for this inconvenience and of course thank you very very very much for your support to this set ;D it really means a lot to me!
PS we might get back to the IC thread for future updates regarding the changes ;)
So crazy that YG got wind of this, lol... then again, the Black Pink fanbase seems pretty rabid, so I shouldn't be surprised.
Are there any updates on this set? Would love to see it come back
So crazy that YG got wind of this, lol... then again, the Black Pink fanbase seems pretty rabid, so I shouldn't be surprised.
Are there any updates on this set? Would love to see it come backby the time this GMK set gets going again... then they'll be disbanded by the time we get the set. :(
Are there any updates on this set? Would love to see it come backby the time this GMK set gets going again... then they'll be disbanded by the time we get the set. :(
I know this is half serious, but knowing the timelines behind mech groupbuys, this is probably going to be true. lmao
Are there any updates on this set? Would love to see it come backby the time this GMK set gets going again... then they'll be disbanded by the time we get the set. :(
I know this is half serious, but knowing the timelines behind mech groupbuys, this is probably going to be true. lmao
I know less than nothing about k-pop, but I suspect they've got a while left - wikipedia suggests they've only just released their first domestic album. Interesting that they released in Japan first in 2018.
Still hoping this comes back. Olivia Dark and Pink on Navy are close but not the same!
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001947823858.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.40aa8951vChrea&algo_pvid=0f04ae5f-88d1-4b25-a2d9-ac1f0b9346f8&algo_expid=0f04ae5f-88d1-4b25-a2d9-ac1f0b9346f8-2&btsid=0b0a556316107602623698245e22c7&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_,searchweb201603_
Jesus the rep makers in China are ruthless
Wow, but those colors are really off...
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001947823858.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.40aa8951vChrea&algo_pvid=0f04ae5f-88d1-4b25-a2d9-ac1f0b9346f8&algo_expid=0f04ae5f-88d1-4b25-a2d9-ac1f0b9346f8-2&btsid=0b0a556316107602623698245e22c7&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_,searchweb201603_
Jesus the rep makers in China are ruthlessWow, but those colors are really off...
The sublegends are also in Japanese instead of Korean...
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001947823858.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.40aa8951vChrea&algo_pvid=0f04ae5f-88d1-4b25-a2d9-ac1f0b9346f8&algo_expid=0f04ae5f-88d1-4b25-a2d9-ac1f0b9346f8-2&btsid=0b0a556316107602623698245e22c7&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_,searchweb201603_
Jesus the rep makers in China are ruthless