Two taekwondo associations are at loggerheads over the use of a logo, yet to be trademarked, with one accusing the other of misuse.
The Malaysian Kukkiwon Taekwondo Association (MKTA) recently accused Taekwondo Malaysia (TM) of “fraudulently” using the World Taekwondo (WT) logo.
MKTA also accused TM of routing participant fees through unregistered accounts.
TM, however, firmly denied the allegations, denouncing them as an attempt by MKTA to “slander the good name of the recognised national body”.
The dispute over the logo began earlier this year when the Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia provisionally refused WT’s application for registration.
The refusal led to MKTA claiming that TM’s use of the logo in printed documents and certifications was invalid, and could confuse students, schools as well as government agencies.
“Taekwondo Malaysia has issued its own promotion certificates, and organised trainer courses using the WT logo, without co-signature or permission from Kukkiwon,” MKTA president Arasu Thangaveloo told FMT, referring to the sport’s central authority based in Seoul, South Korea.
“These certificates are not recognised by universities abroad, and has resulted in many students having to repeat training and tests from the basic level.”
TM denies claims
TM’s technical chairman Dhanaraj Rassiah, however, said MKTA can have no grounds for complaint as it has not been recognised either by Kukkiwon or WT.
Dhanaraj also said TM has written confirmation from WT allowing his association “the exclusive right to approve and use the WT emblem, system and competition within Malaysia”.
He also claimed that Kukkiwon had sent a formal request to MKTA, requesting that it cease the “unauthorised use of Kukkiwon’s name and logo in all future events”.
MKTA, Dhanaraj said, was told to refrain from activity that could mislead others into believing that it officially represented Kukkiwon.
“They don’t even have the blessings of the international governing bodies. They know they have no legal standing. Even if athletes are under MKTA, they still need to come back (to us) when they want to represent the country.
“There are no two ways about it. We’re the official national body. They can’t even send their athletes for things like the Malaysia Games (Sukma) or SEA Games,” Dhanaraj said when contacted.
Improper transactions allegation
In its complaint to the Attorney-General’s Chambers, MKTA also alleged that TM had routed thousands of ringgit in fees from competitions hosted in Selangor through expired or unregistered business accounts, none of which were aligned with TM.
It claimed that in doing so TM had violated provisions in the Prevention of Money Laundering Act 2001 and Companies Act 2016 which govern transactions involving expired accounts and the resumption of business after the expiration of a company’s registration period, respectively.
In response, Dhanaraj denied any wrongdoing on TM’s part. He said all district level events were organised by the state associations.
However, he said that following the revocation of the Selangor state association’s membership with TM in January last year, various taekwondo instructors and clubs had approached the national body to help facilitate school events.
“The money from those events aren’t going into our accounts because we’re not the ones hosting them. We just help facilitate and organise. The money goes to (the sports clubs).”
When contacted by FMT, the AGC confirmed receipt of MKTA’s complaint.
