Big Bang's G-Dragon granted trademark to his stage name by YG Entertainment
K-pop group Big Bang’s G-Dragon is now the trademark owner of his stage name.
YG Entertainment, his former agency, made the decision to allow the trademarks “G-Dragon” and “GD” to be transferred to G-Dragon (real name Kwon Ji-yong) without compensation.
Korean media reported that the reason behind the decision was that G-Dragon is a symbolic artist to YG Entertainment, and the name "G-Dragon" itself embodies his identity.

G-Dragon (Instagram)
The "G-Dragon" trademark (KIPRIS)

The "G-Dragon" trademark is now registered under Galaxy Corporation, G-Dragon's agency (KIPRIS)
With this, G-Dragon, 35, can now freely use the stage name “G-Dragon” for his future solo activities.
Trademark registration details from the Korea Intellectual Property Information Search (KIPRIS) showed that the trademark “G-Dragon” was transferred to Kwon Ji-yong (G-Dragon) by YG Entertainment in May this year.
The Registration of Full Transfer of Right to Kwon Ji-yong was completed on May 17. After which, G-Dragon transferred the trademark rights to Galaxy Corporation on May 21 this year.
“G-Dragon” was originally trademarked by YG Entertainment in 2004 and was renewed in 2014. The trademark registration was set to expire on Oct. 8 this year.
"The trademark rights for G-Dragon and GD have been transferred to the artist," a representative from YG Entertainment said, according to a Korean media report.
Galaxy Corporation stated, "It is true that Galaxy Corporation currently owns the trademarks for 'G-Dragon' and 'GD,' etc. Thanks to the consideration of YG Entertainment CEO Yang Hyun-suk, we received the trademark rights without compensation."
Last June, Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST) Department of Mechanical Engineering appointed G-Dragon as a visiting professor. His tenure will be until June 2026.
According to KAIST, Visiting Professor Kwon Ji-yong will “give a special lecture on leadership to undergraduate and graduate students. The purpose is to share his experience and life as a world-class artist to provide KAIST students with vision and insight into the world, as well as the courage and inspiration to pioneer within their own fields of expertise.”
G-Dragon debuted in Big Bang in 2006. Last December, he left YG Entertainment and is now under Galaxy Corporation.

G-Dragon (center) during his appointment as visiting professor at KAIST (Photo from KAIST)