MNTech feuds with YouTuber over retro film
Media Auto claims the films on license plates are defective Transportation ministry claim 130K cars are using them without problem
Optical film company MNTech’s feud with a famous YouTuber over the quality of the company’s retro reflective film used on license plates is escalating, with both sides vowing to go to court.
YouTube channel Jang Jin-taek Media Auto last week posted a video alleging that the film prevented plate numbers from being read by speed cameras at night. The channel tested this with a plate with the film and plate without it, which showed the plate with film being difficult to be recognized by the cameras, it said.
Media Auto said there were five vendors for speed cameras and each manufacturer’s performance maybe different but teased that there will be more videos on the subject that will be posted later that proves its point.
Retro reflection films reflects lights back to the source __ which allows people to view the subject with the film on more clearly.
The films in question were first applied to new plates that were approved by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transportation, which began rolling out in July. The films are being adopted as the ministry said it believes it will reduce car accidents at night. MNTech was the first to supply its films.
MNTech has said it will go to court with Media Auto over their allegations. The company said the claim by the channel were misleading. MNTech said it tested its films with the ministry and national police, which showed no problems. The company claimed Media Auto was being backed by its competitor.
A ministry spokesperson said the retro reflection films were tested for recognition and durability with the plates. The plates were recognizable 98.5% of the time when used with MNTech’s film, they said, and it believes there is no problem.
OECD members all apply such films to license plates, the spokesperson said. The new plates with film also has forgery prevention technology on them, they said.
Around 130,000 automobiles adopted the new plates from July to August, the ministry said. Companies Reflomax and HJ Corp were also preparing to make the films.
3M has previously supplied its retro reflection film for an electric vehicle sold in South Korea. However, 3M was not supplying them for the ministry at this time.