P-pop mega-group SB19 has resolved trademark issues with its former manager ShowBT Philippines Corp.
This was announced by their own recently launched company 1Z Entertainment on 5 December. The group, consisting of Pablo, Josh, Stell, Ken and Justin, has reached an “amicable agreement” with their former manager, disclosed the company statement.
“We formally announce that we have come to an amicable agreement with ShowBT Philippines Corp. through a fair and equitable resolution. Thank you for your patience and unwavering support towards SB19 and 1Z Entertainment. Pablo, Josh, Stell, Ken, and Justin eagerly anticipate reconnecting with all of you in their upcoming endeavors. We can’t wait to see you all again soon,” the statement said.
The statement’s use of “SB19” indicated that the reported trademark fight between the group’s old and new companies, never directly addressed by either camp but which led to a period when the boys removed SB19 from their social media handles, was now resolved and the quintet could go back to using their band name.
In October, the group announced that they had transitioned to being a self-managed group with their own agency, 1Z Entertainment.
However, the group’s previous management, ShowBT Entertainment, owns the trademark to the name “SB19” and the rights to their music. The registered trademark is set to expire on 3 January 2031.
The backstage dispute led to SB19 canceling the Singapore, Bangkok and Dubai stops of their PAGTATAG! World tour, citing “unforeseen circumstances and following discussions with involved groups.”
A’TIN, the group’s fierce fandom, began referring to the five boys as “Mahalima” while voicing their continued support on social media.
Despite the constraints apparently imposed on the group, SB19 continued to dominate the music scene, earning multiple awards from various award-giving bodies at the time they were rendered inactive.
The group won the International Male Group award at the BreakTudo Awards 2023 in Brazil, besting international bands like 5SOS, Big Time Rush, CNCO, EXO, Seventeen, Stray Kids and TXT.
The boys also bagged multiple awards at the eighth edition of the Philippine Pop Top Awards on 30 November, including Top Global Artist of the Year, Video of the Year and Song of the Year for the chart-topping song “GENTO,” and Album of the Year for the critically-acclaimed album “PAGTATAG.”
They also won individual awards at the event: Top Male Vocalist of the Year (Stell), Top New Artist of the Year (Josh Cullen), Top Male Leader of the Year (Pablo) and Top Performing Artist of the Year (Felip).