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2023 Issue 4

PATENT

Korean District Court Recognizes Infringement of Pfizer's Patent for Prevenar 13® Based on Extraterritorial Activity The Seoul Central District Court rendered a decision finding that another pharmaceutical company directly infringed Pfizer's composition patent even though the infringer did not make the patented composition in Korea. Read more KIPO Clarifies Written Description Requirements for Cosmetic Inventions The new examination guidelines provide stricter enablement requirements for three types of cosmetic inventions. Read more Expedited Examination for Display Patent Applications Now Available This strategic move comes amid escalating international patent disputes in the display field and aligns KIPO's commitment to aiding companies with manufacturing facilities in Korea to swiftly acquire display patents. Read more Changes to Korea's Expedited Examination System and Patent Term Adjustment Practices in 2024 The most notable changes are the reduced options when seeking expedited examination and expanded scope of "period of delay attributable to the applicant" for PTA. Read more

TRADEMARK, DESIGN & UNFAIR COMPETITION

Supreme Court Issues Landmark Decision on the Criteria for Dilution Under the Trademark Act This decision marks the first time the Supreme Court applied Article 34(1)(xi) of the Trademark Act and provided criteria for how dilution is to be assessed under this provision. Read more A Letter of Consent System Is Among the Notable Amendments to the Korean Trademark Act Coming Into Effect in 2024 The amendments to the Korean Trademark Act which introduce the long awaited letter of consent system, among others, will take effect on May 1, 2024. Read more KIPO SJP's Investigative Authority to be Further Expanded An amendment was passed to further broaden Special Judicial Police's authority. The SJP focuses on criminal investigations (including raids) into cases of trademark infringement and unfair competition causing source confusion. Read more New Applicant-Friendly Amendments to the Design Protection Act Several amendments to the Design Protection Act have entered into effect on December 21, 2023. Read more Expedited Examination of Korean Trademark Applications Has Become More Difficult Post-January 1, 2024 Due to an amendment to the Trademark Enforcement Decree, the requirements for requesting expedited examination have changed, and pending applications as well as new applications will be affected. Read more

EDITORS Inchan Andrew KWON, Angela KIM, John J. KIM & Raymis H. KIM

NEWS

"Korea Law Firm of the Year" for Eleven Years in a Row – ALB Korea Law Awards 2023 Ranked "Band 1" in 18 Areas, 85 "Leading Individuals" – Chambers Asia-Pacific 2024 Winner of "Country Firm of the Year: South Korea" for the Eighteenth Consecutive Year – WWL Awards 2023

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