As of April 2, 2025, JYP Entertainment has successfully won a significant trademark lawsuit aimed at protecting the character brand of Stray Kids, known as WeZOO, according to a recent report from Bizhankook.
The origins of the WeZOO trademark can be traced back to a filing by JYP Entertainment in March 2022. The record label asserted that the acronym ‘SKZ’ is derived from the group’s name, Stray Kids, while ‘ZOO’ symbolizes their unique animal characters—making it a notable and appealing brand for the eight-member ensemble.
Understanding the Importance of International Recognition
Attorney Yoon Shin-woo emphasized the court’s recognition of the broader significance of Stray Kids’ international presence and their connection to the WeZOO trademark. The court decisively noted that there would be no confusion among consumers regarding the two brands in question.
This led to the rejection of an appeal by the Korean Intellectual Property Office. Consequently, on January 22, 2025, JYP Entertainment was granted the trademark registration for WeZOO under Class 25.
Further insights from BIZN IP & Law Firm reveal that the court acknowledged Stray Kids’ extensive international activities, pointing out that their music videos have surpassed 100 million views and received immense media attention. As translated by Allkpop, the ruling highlighted that WeZOO would be naturally pronounced as ‘SKIZOO,’ rather than ‘SK-JOO,’ which played a critical role in overturning IPTAB’s earlier decision.
“The court acknowledged Stray Kids’ extensive international activities, the fact that their music videos had surpassed 100 million views, and their widespread media coverage. Based on this, the court determined that WeZOO would naturally be pronounced as ‘SKIZOO’ rather than ‘SK-JOO,’ which was a key factor in overturning IPTAB’s decision. The established recognition of WeZOO played a decisive role in the final ruling.”
For those less familiar with this brand, WeZOO represents Stray Kids through adorable animal and cartoon characters, each embodying members of the group: Bang Chan, Felix, Hyunjin, Han, Changbin, Seungmin, I.N., and Lee Know.
In other exciting news, Stray Kids recently released their first mixtape, titled Hop, on December 13, 2024. This project features an impressive lineup of 12 tracks, including “Walkin on Water” , “Bounce Back” , and “U (feat. Tablo)” , among others.