This is a quarterly newsletter of recent developments in Korean intellectual property laws and policies from Kim & Chang.

This issue includes:

PATENT

• The Korean Intellectual Property Office Elevated to Full Ministry Status
• Recent IP High Court Decision Awarding Damages for Functionally Related Components
• Supreme Court Ruling Clarifies the Scope of the Effect of the Self-Disclosure Exception in Patents and Utility Models
• MOIP Lengthens Preliminary Rejection Response Period, Allows Deferred Examination for Divisional Applications
• En Banc Supreme Court Rules that Royalties Paid for "Use" of Technology Patented Only Outside Korea Are Now Taxable in Korea, Overturning Decades of Precedent
• IP High Court Publishes Its Standard Procedures for Reviewing Civil Cases
• Lee Jae-myung Administration Completes National Agenda Planning

TRADEMARK, DESIGN, COPYRIGHT & UNFAIR COMPETITION

• Melona Prevails: High Court Recognizes Packaging Distinctiveness in Korean Ice Cream Market
• Supreme Court Confirms Decision to Dismiss Claim of Plagiarism Against the "Baby Shark" Song
• Amendment to the Design Examination Guidelines
• Supreme Court Rules on Starting Point of Statute of Limitations for Copyright Holder's Unjust Enrichment Claim Against Gaming Company's Unauthorized Use of a Musical Work
• Korean Government Publishes Copyright Guidelines on AI-Generated Content

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