The Netflix series 'Squid Game' Season 2 (directed by Hwang Dong Hyuk) continues to face illegal copyright infringement issues and has fallen victim to illegal merchandise sales.
On January 7, Professor Seo Kyung Duk of Sungshin Women’s University shared photos on social media of unofficial merchandise related to 'Squid Game' Season 2. The products were reportedly being sold on platforms such as Temu and AliExpress.
She stated, "After searching Chinese online shopping malls, I found this issue. It’s unacceptable that they’ve not only engaged in illegal streaming but also turned illegal merchandise into a profit-making scheme."
Netflix is banned in China, meaning that most viewers there likely accessed the series through illegal downloads or other unofficial methods.
Some products even directly used the Squid Game IP (intellectual property) to create unauthorized goods. Professor Seo pointed out, "The biggest issue is the unauthorized use of the actors' faces."
This is not the first time Chinese online marketplaces have sold illegal merchandise. Similar incidents occurred during the release of 'Squid Game' Season 1, with items such as masks, tracksuits, and jumpsuits being sold. According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP), most of the counterfeit goods originated from China.
Meanwhile, 'Squid Game' Season 2 follows the story of Gi Hun (played by Lee Jung Jae) as he re-enters the deadly game to face off against the Front Man (played by Lee Byung Hun). Season 3 is set to premiere later this year.
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