Exclusive
Bookers, a publishing company owned by Jeon Jae-guk, files trademark for music education business 'MFORET'

[비즈한국] It has been confirmed that Bookers filed for a new trademark last December. The trademarks filed are the Korean '엠포레' (M-Foret) and the English 'MFORET'. Bookers is a publisher specializing in music-related books, and its largest shareholder is Jeon Jae-guk, the eldest son of the late Chun Doo-hwan. Jeon Jae-guk's eldest daughter, Jeon Su-yeon, serves as an auditor, and his eldest son, Jeon Woo-seok, works as an internal director at Bookers.

Bookers previously changed its name from Music World (Eumak Segye) to Bookers in February of last year. Externally, it still uses the name Music World. On its website, the company is also introduced as Music World rather than Bookers.

According to the patent information service KIPRIS, Bookers filed for the '엠포레' and 'MFORET' trademarks on December 19 of last year, and they are currently pending examination. The designated goods and services for the two trademarks include: publishing of textbooks, books, magazines, and other printed matter; education services; provision of facilities for films, shows, plays, music, or educational training; music performance services; music practice training services; music academy services; music education services; music practical instruction (for entrance exams); providing online music for read-only access; and guidance and training services.

Looking at the designated goods and services of the trademarks Bookers has filed, most are related to music education. In reality, Bookers holds significant influence in the music education industry. It hosts numerous youth music competitions and also organizes the 'Yeoncheon DMZ International Music Festival.' It also periodically publishes books related to music education.

Bookers previously filed for the 'Q&S' trademark last October. The designated goods for Q&S include education services, essay academy services, and essay instruction services; music-related business was not explicitly mentioned. So far, there has been no news regarding businesses utilizing the Q&S or MFORET trademarks. Bookers has not disclosed a specific stance regarding the trademarks (Related article: [Exclusive] Chun Doo-hwan's eldest son Jeon Jae-guk's family company Bookers files 'Q&S' trademark).

Meanwhile, while Jeon Jae-guk once wielded considerable influence in the publishing industry, assessments suggest he is not what he used to be. Sigongsa, the publishing company Jeon operated, was sold to Biosmart 038460 in 2018, and Book Plus and Books Libro, which Jeon founded, went bankrupt one after another last year. It is known that Bookers is currently the only company under Jeon's influence that is operating its business normally.