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Co-ed K-pop group ALLDAY PROJECT has become embroiled in a trademark dispute with Australian rapper Allday, who claims ownership of the name and threatens legal action against the newly debuted group's label.
The controversy erupted just days after ALLDAY PROJECT's official debut on June 23, 2025, when Australian musician Tom Gaynor, who performs under the stage name Allday, shared a Facebook post expressing frustration over the group's name.
"People keep asking me about this... I have a trademark on the name Allday. Maybe I don't have 20 billion streams like that Kpop shit which mostly sucks by the way. But I do exist and own the trademark to my name. Prepare for the greatest legal battle of all time," Gaynor wrote.
According to trademark records from IP Australia, Allday registered the trademark for his name in June 2021. The trademark covers digital music, recordings, vinyl, merchandise, live music entertainment, and music videos, with renewal scheduled for September 2030. In Facebook comments, Gaynor confirmed he also holds the trademark in the United States.
ALLDAY PROJECT, managed by THE BLACK LABEL under producer Teddy Park, consists of five members: Annie, Tarzzan, Bailey, Woochan, and Youngseo. The group gained significant attention before their debut, particularly due to member Annie being the granddaughter of Shinsegae Group Chairwoman Lee Myung-hee. Their debut single "FAMOUS" reached number one on YouTube's trending chart and surpassed 18 million views within days of release.
The Adelaide-born rapper, who has been active in the Australian music scene since 2011, signed with major American label Wind-Up Records in 2015, becoming one of the first Australian male hip-hop artists to achieve such a deal. His debut album "Startup Cult" reached number three on the ARIA Charts in 2014.
Legal experts suggest that trademark disputes in the entertainment industry often involve questions of market confusion and the geographic scope of protection. While Allday holds the trademark in Australia and the United States, ALLDAY PROJECT operates primarily in South Korea and Asia. However, if the K-pop group expands into markets where Allday holds trademark rights, potential legal complications could arise.
The dispute has generated mixed reactions online, with some supporting Allday's trademark rights while others question the validity of his claim given the different full names of the entities involved.
THE BLACK LABEL has not yet publicly responded to Allday's threats of legal action.
This case highlights ongoing challenges in the global music industry regarding trademark protection, particularly as K-pop groups increasingly seek international expansion while Western artists maintain established rights in their home markets.
English (US) · 