Busan is good

Busan’s Communication Character “Boogi” Now Available for Everyone to Use!

내용

“Boogi, Busan’s beloved mascot, is now available for everyone—anywhere in Korea!”

The Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Heong-joon) has announced that the copyright licensing for “Boogi,” previously available only to Busan-based small businesses and micro-enterprises, has now been expanded to allow all domestic businesses across the country to use the character.

○ This initiative was launched to increase the utility of Boogi and promote the character nationwide. As inquiries from regional and mid-sized companies outside Busan have steadily grown, the city decided to broaden licensing access to enable more companies to legally use Boogi through official channels.

The first nationwide usage case features the premium takeout coffee brand “Hi-O Coffee,” which has released exclusive Boogi-themed cup sleeves now being distributed at stores nationwide as of yesterday (June 16).

○ Hi-O Coffee stated, “Boogi’s cute and friendly image is expected to offer a fresh brand experience to our customers.”

Businesses wishing to use Boogi may apply through the licensing platform Witzshop (www.witzshop.com).

○ The usage fee is set at 3% of the sales amount. However, for companies based in Busan, a discounted fee of 2% applies.

Meanwhile, small businesses and micro-enterprises located in Busan will continue to be eligible for free usage of Boogi. Applications for free usage will be accepted for one month starting this November.

○ More details can be found on the official City website (www.busan.go.kr/character01).

Park Gwang-myung, Busan’s Spokesperson, stated,

“As the importance of copyright utilization continues to grow, we aim to promote Boogi as a friendly national character through active collaborations with various businesses.”

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Appendix 1: Reference Image and Platform Information

• ●Platform: Witzshop
  · Operated by Witz Co., Ltd., a licensing transaction platform
  · Other entries include “Dreamdol-i” (Daejeon Tourism Organization) and “Cocomong” (E-Land Innople)

• ●Eligible Users:
  · Businesses outside Busan, mid-sized and large corporations, individuals not covered under free-use licensing

• ●Operation Process:
  · Usage Fee: 3%
  · Legal basis: Article 22 (Usage Fees) of the Public Property and Commodity Management Act, and related enforcement ordinances
  · Discount: 1% off for businesses based in Busan

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Appendix 2: Licensing Workflow Overview

Applicant	▶	Witz Co., Ltd.	▶	Busan Metropolitan City
• Applies to use character images on Witzshop	• Reviews character usage plan	• Reviews and approves request
• Pays licensing fee	• Imposes and processes fee	• Conducts design review
• Develops and sells products	• Conducts marketing, monitors counterfeit usage	• Allocates revenue as non-tax income
		• Engages in marketing and promotion