South Korean Display Companies Lead Global Market with Low-Power OLED Panel Technology
South Korea is leading the global market for low-temperature polysilicon oxide (LTPO) OLED panel technology, ranking first worldwide in both the number of patent applications and the average annual growth rate over the past decade. LTPO OLED panel technology is a core technology that significantly reduces power consumption in electronic devices such as smartphones and smartwatches, playing a vital role in extending battery life and enhancing power efficiency.
Read More
First Case of 'Punitive Damages' for Willful Trademark Infringement Recognized by the Intellectual Property High Court of Korea
Recently, the Intellectual Property High Court of Korea issued a landmark decision recognizing punitive damages for willful trademark infringement (Intellectual Property High Court Case No. 2023Na11399, issued on 2024. 09. 26). This decision is significant as it marks the first-time punitive damages have been awarded for the period during which the willful trademark infringement is found, within the overall duration of the infringement.
Read More
KIPO Accelerates Examination in Biotechnology, Advanced Robot Technology and Artificial Intelligence Technology
The Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) announced that it is currently recruiting 60 additional patent examiners in biotechnology, advanced robot technology and artificial intelligence technology as part of a third expansion in the national strategic technology field, following recent hires in semiconductor and secondary battery technologies. This expansion is expected to help companies in these fields to secure patents more quickly.
Read More
Korean Battery Companies Lead the BMS Patent Market
According to a recent survey of patent cases (including patent filings and patents) in the IP5 countries concerning Battery Management System (BMS), which functions as a “brain” of electric vehicle batteries, Korean battery companies hold a dominant share of patent cases compared to their Chinese and Japanese competitors. Among these companies, LG Energy Solution was found to possess the largest number of patent cases in the IP5 countries.
Read More
Rising Importation of Products Infringing on Globally Renowned Trademarks in Korea
Recently, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, contactless transactions have become more prevalent, resulting in a significant surge in online distribution. According to Statistics Korea, the domestic e-commerce market grew from 137 trillion KRW in 2019 to 227 trillion KRW in 2023. In particular, the volume of overseas direct purchases (cross-border e-commerce) nearly doubled, rising from 3.6 trillion KRW in 2019 to 6.8 trillion KRW in 2023. With the rapid expansion of overseas direct purchase platforms, there has also been a marked increase in the influx of counterfeit goods into the country. The number of seized goods infringing on intellectual property rights surged by 290%, from 29,000 cases in 2021 to 85,000 cases in 2023.
Read MoreLEE NEWS
Lee International Awards News
Our managing partners, Mr. Terry Taehong Kim, Mr. Jin-Hoe KIM and Ms. Yoon Suk Shin, and patent attorney Mr. Young-Bo Shim, were recognized as top experts in the Asia IP category this year, and Lee International IP & Law was also honored with a Tier 1 ranking in the Trademark Contentious.
Read More
Lee International’s Publications
The International Comparative Legal Guides (“ICLG”) is a leading global platform for providing legal reference, analysis and news and offers comprehensive comparative legal guides and research tools covering the laws of over 190 jurisdictions across 60+ practice areas. Lee International contributed to the Korean chapter, “Patent Laws and Regulations 2025” published by ICLG. This edition covers key trends in Korean patent laws and regulations, including enforcement, amendment, licensing, term extension, prosecution, and more.
Read More