The South Korean boy band BEAST or B2ST contract with their agency CUBE Entertainment expired last October 15 but both sides have still yet to give final decisions.
As if "Clenching a Tight Fist" just like the group's previous hit single, BEAST is still trying to figure out whether to leave their mother agency. And if they do, according to soompi.com, they can no longer use BEAST as a group name since it was originally trademarked for Cube Entertainment.
Since ending their contract with Cube last October, rumors have it that the group received financial support from an agency in Hong Kong to build their own music agency. BEAST is composed of Yoon Doo-joon, Yong Jun-hyung, Yang Yo-seob, Lee Gi-kwang, and Son Dong-woon.
However, no confirmation has been issued either by BEAST and Cube. According to reports, the South Korean record label's trademark registration for "BEAST"-for music, commercials, and performance, will only expire in 2026.
Following this rule, if the group decides to leave their agency, they will have to change their name or still get approval from Cube. The group will also have to pay royalties for the usage of songs released under the said record label.
Both parties prioritize the final decision as of the moment. As reported by soompi.com, source said, "Cube currently owns the trademark, but Cube is a listed company".
"It is not possible to give the trademark registration through a single person's decision," the source added.
However, BEAST fans worry that the group might suffer the same consequences as the veteran idols Shinhwa. Shinhwa left SM Entertainment and also had to fight to use their group's trademark name.
BEAST debuted in October 2009 under Cube Entertainment with their first mini-album BEAST is the B2ST. They have recorded and released two Korean full-length albums and seven mini albums. They are also popular in neighboring countries like Japan, the group also released a Japanese album.
