Netflix Sued By South Korean Internet Firm For Making ‘Squid Game’ Too Popular
Image via Netflix
If you’ve been on the internet the past week, you’d have heard of Netflix’s hit series from South Korea, Squid Game. The show has gotten so popular it’s now the number-one series on the platform in 90 different countries. We don’t know about you, but the killer doll is still haunting our dreams.
In a rather strange turn of events, a South Korean internet company is suing Netflix because the show has gotten too popular. Yup, you read that right.
The provider said that Squid Game had become so viral, too many people are streaming it in the country at once, and it wants the streaming service to cover the extra costs.
Netflix said it would reach out to SK Broadband to “seek dialogue” to find ways to address the company’s increased network traffic. And although it sounds incredulous, the provider’s lawsuit actually has legs in South Korea.
According to Input, South Korea amended its Telecommunications Business Act to include a clause that global content providers should help with internet companies’ network maintenance. This bolster’s SK Broadband’s suit for Netflix to contribute to the costs of its traffic surge.
In fact, Netflix did attempt to get the law dismissed, saying its duty was only to create and provide content to users. However, South Korea’s court ruled against the streaming service’s appeal.
Now, instead of appealing the legislation once more, it seems Netflix is taking another route to skip on the extra charges. Input noted that the global service released a statement documenting all the investments it has made in the country.
The report said the streaming service created over 16,000 jobs and pumped in over US$651 million to producing original series in the nation, which could’ve contributed over US$4.7 billion to the South Korean economy as a whole.
It’s difficult to say who’ll be held liable for the extra costs, with the new trial only beginning in December. Nevertheless, it’s definitely a testament to the incredible popularity of Squid Game and Netflix itself.
[via Input, cover image via Netflix]
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