Weekly Korean IP Headlines 07.31. 2013

Korea and Japan reached an agreement on push China to protect Korean and Japanese firms in China according to Nihon Keizai Shimbun on 24th.  

Korea and Japan made the decision during the related departments’ meeting in Japan from 22nd to 24th.  Both countries’ patent offices will request improve the transparency during trial process in China at the trialogue conference end of August. 

©Renato Ganoza  | Chinese Flag

In China, the government only publicizes summarized evidence and sentencing which used during the patent trials. 

Meanwhile, IP related disputes in China will be depending because utility model right exercise has strengthened recently in China.  The Chinese authorities are granting Chinese firms utility model registration without separated examination process.  

Click here for the origianl article.

DMC Tower 18th~19th Floor, 189 Sungam-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, Korea

Global Tel: +82-2-726-1104, 1130 | Fax: +82-2-777-7334 | global@wips.co.kr
Japan Tel: +82-2-726-1113, 1107 | Fax: +82-2-777-7334 | wips-jp@wips.co.kr

China, Taiwan Tel: +82-2-726-1038, 1130 | Fax: +82-2-777-7334 | global@wips.co.kr 

Diaper Patent Infringement dispute, SCA Hygiene vs.First Quality company

sca.com

Swedish diaper company SCA Hygiene’s patent claim has dismissed under lashes and equitable estoppels, Law360 reported.

The company filed its patent titled “Absorbent pants-type diapers” in 1992 but granted by US Patent Office in 2002. (Patent No. 6,375,646) They found out the infringement by its rival company, First Quality, since 2003. First Quality responded that the SCA’s patent was not valid, and sent a letter informing their patent rights.  SCA didn’t take any further legal actions about it until 2010. They said that they were reexamining their rights and getting new counsel, but the judge said they took too long to take actions against First Quality. 

DMC Tower 18th~19th Floor, 189 Sungam-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, Korea

Global Tel: +82-2-726-1104, 1130 | Fax: +82-2-777-7334 | global@wips.co.kr
Japan Tel: +82-2-726-1113, 1107 | Fax: +82-2-777-7334 | wips-jp@wips.co.kr

China, Taiwan Tel: +82-2-726-1038, 1130 | Fax: +82-2-777-7334 | global@wips.co.kr 

Thomas Pink vs. Victoria's Secret PINK trademark infringement issue

thomaspink.com /facebook.com/vspink

Thomas Pink sued Victoria’s Secret ‘PINK’ brand for using same work ‘pink’ and Victoria requested a declaratory judgment that it does not infringe Thomas Pink’s trademark and they can protect its ‘PINK’ brand name.

According to Law360, Victoria’s Secret had used the name since 2001 and it has more than 1,000 stores. They are well known lingerie brand and “never caused an instance of consumer confusion.” Thomas Pink, U.K clothing brand, started its business in 1980s. 

DMC Tower 18th~19th Floor, 189 Sungam-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, Korea

Global Tel: +82-2-726-1104, 1130 | Fax: +82-2-777-7334 | global@wips.co.kr
Japan Tel: +82-2-726-1113, 1107 | Fax: +82-2-777-7334 | wips-jp@wips.co.kr

China, Taiwan Tel: +82-2-726-1038, 1130 | Fax: +82-2-777-7334 | global@wips.co.kr 

Patriotic design ideas with Union Jack!

Kate Middleton had a boy and all the British people celebrated. It was very interesting that lots of British people are paying attention to the royal family and Buckingham Palace. There are lots of items using Union flag (union Jack) pattern, and let’s check some of those patriotic items. 

trendhunter.com

This is a side mirror of MINI Copper. The vehicle is famous for its mini sized body and unique design. This Union flag pattern makes both vehicle and flag even more unique and friendly.

trendhunter.com

trendhunter.com

These items are for women who love to have their bags and shoes with Union Jack. Lips shape clutch and angle boots make perfect rock’n roll look. This clutch is designed by Lulu Guinness and the shoes are designed by Alexander MacQueen.

trendhunter.com

trendhunter.com

These are footwears for men with Uinion Jack. There are Union flag patters on the back side of the shoes, it added colorful point to the shoes and men who love fashion will like it!

DMC Tower 18th~19th Floor, 189 Sungam-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, Korea

Global Tel: +82-2-726-1104, 1130 | Fax: +82-2-777-7334 | global@wips.co.kr
Japan Tel: +82-2-726-1113, 1107 | Fax: +82-2-777-7334 | wips-jp@wips.co.kr

China, Taiwan Tel: +82-2-726-1038, 1130 | Fax: +82-2-777-7334 | global@wips.co.kr 

Korea MCST considering new music copyright royalty rule for public malls

photo Roberto Verzo

Royalty for playing music audio and video recordings will be charged for retail stores, malls or restaurants. Korea Ministry of culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) decided that the royalty for music and video in retail stores, malls and restaurants are preparing for this new copyright law. 

Restaurant and Café industries are already using and paying for the audio and video they play in stores, so this is not a big issue for them. Major supermarkets and department stores are seeking for the ways to avoid this law such as playing their own audio or the music recorded 50 years ago which is not the range of the copyright law. 

Original Korean New article here.

DMC Tower 18th~19th Floor, 189 Sungam-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, Korea

Global Tel: +82-2-726-1104, 1130 | Fax: +82-2-777-7334 | global@wips.co.kr
Japan Tel: +82-2-726-1113, 1107 | Fax: +82-2-777-7334 | wips-jp@wips.co.kr

China, Taiwan Tel: +82-2-726-1038, 1130 | Fax: +82-2-777-7334 | global@wips.co.kr 

Interesting & Useful key chain ideas!

coolmaterial.com

This is a useful key chain for various purposes. It has bottle opener and 9 types of screwdriver on the edge side of it. This will help to tighten screw of bike and pull out top of beers. If you like bike and beers, this key chain is essential to you!

www.kickstarter.com

This is another key chain idea. You can have a bottle opener, a ruler, a mini sized saw, 3 different sized of hexagonal bolts and flat screwdriver. The tools are all small sized so it can't be a perfect tool for fixing things. But it will help you a lot in daily life. 

lilblueboo.com

This is a different type of key chain idea. It's a creative way to make a new key chain using chunks of broken vase. Make a hole for a ring and sand the edges and smooth it, then you'll have a unique key chain of your own.

DMC Tower 18th~19th Floor, 189 Sungam-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, Korea

Global Tel: +82-2-726-1104, 1130 | Fax: +82-2-777-7334 | global@wips.co.kr
Japan Tel: +82-2-726-1113, 1107 | Fax: +82-2-777-7334 | wips-jp@wips.co.kr

China, Taiwan Tel: +82-2-726-1038, 1130 | Fax: +82-2-777-7334 | global@wips.co.kr 

Auto Heat Massage Chair for Leg health & Calf Diet by Body Friend Co.,Ltd

A Korean massage chair company Body Friend Co., Ltd. acquired patent of invention on 25^th July. The massage chair was designed to prevent varicose venis for all the office clerks.

engpat.kipris.or.kr

The massage chair has air bag to press users’ calves and it was designed for legs health and diet effect. The bag will be inflated when the air is expanded by heat, and there are magnetic parts to pressure and stimulate users’ claves. These heated air bag and magnetic parts will help preventing of Varicose Veins and Calf Diet, Body Friend said.

Original Korean News here

DMC Tower 18th~19th Floor, 189 Sungam-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, Korea

Global Tel: +82-2-726-1104, 1130 | Fax: +82-2-777-7334 | global@wips.co.kr
Japan Tel: +82-2-726-1113, 1107 | Fax: +82-2-777-7334 | wips-jp@wips.co.kr

China, Taiwan Tel: +82-2-726-1038, 1130 | Fax: +82-2-777-7334 | global@wips.co.kr 

A club sued byMarilyn Monroe estate for trademark infringment

photo NCinDC

Marilyn Monroe estate sued a club for using Monroe’s image and her name in its sings, SunSentinel reported.

The club in West Palm Beach’s manager, John said to SunSentinel that they already stop using the image of Monroe and they didn’t try to profit from the memory of Marilyn Monroe. The club used images of 1950s stars including Lana Turner, Bettie Page and the Rat Pack. He added that he used the name of ‘Monroe’ because it was his cat name and it was to challenge to his rival club ‘Rachel’, which also its owner’s cat name. 

DMC Tower 18th~19th Floor, 189 Sungam-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, Korea

Global Tel: +82-2-726-1104, 1130 | Fax: +82-2-777-7334 | global@wips.co.kr
Japan Tel: +82-2-726-1113, 1107 | Fax: +82-2-777-7334 | wips-jp@wips.co.kr

China, Taiwan Tel: +82-2-726-1038, 1130 | Fax: +82-2-777-7334 | global@wips.co.kr 

EU OHIM's Design Search Tool, Design View

On November 19th 2012, OHIM (Office for Harmonization in the Internal Market) launched a design search tool service called “Design View.”

Design View is an easy design search tool for non-professionals and a useful tool for professionals at the same time.



Design View Web Page

"Midnight in Paris" and the nine-word quote from "Requiem for a Nun" Copyright lawsuit

'Midnight in Paris' poster

Sony Pictures was sued for using lines from a novel book by William Faulkner, and it won, according to Hollywood Reporter.

Faulkner’s filing said that the use of quote and his name in the film may cause confusion between him and his works. And he asked for “damages, disgorgement of profits, costs and attorney fees.”

But the judge said that “"Qualitative importance to society of a nine-word quote is not the same as qualitative importance to the originating work as a whole.”

In a movie “Midnight of the Paris”, the main character (Owen Wilson) says “The past is not dead! Actually, it's not even past. You know who said that? Faulkner. And he was right. And I met him, too. I ran into him at a dinner party.” And in “Requiem for a Nun” Faulkner wrote, "The past is never dead. It’s not even past."

DMC Tower 18th~19th Floor, 189 Sungam-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, Korea

Global Tel: +82-2-726-1104, 1130 | Fax: +82-2-777-7334 | global@wips.co.kr
Japan Tel: +82-2-726-1113, 1107 | Fax: +82-2-777-7334 | wips-jp@wips.co.kr

China, Taiwan Tel: +82-2-726-1038, 1130 | Fax: +82-2-777-7334 | global@wips.co.kr 

Weekly Korean IP Headlines 07.23. 2013

Korean Yonhap News Agency reported on 21st, Korean pop culture has pushed the country earns more money through its intellectual property rights from abroad.  According to data by the Bank of Korea, Korean companies related with pop culture earned $800 million in royalties from IPRs overseas in 2012. 

© Nexon | Nexon's Online Games

According to Yonhap News, among the companies related to the Korean pop culture, online game companies are the biggest contributor to the rise in the country’s IPR overseer’s income.

© YG Entertainment | Psy

It is worthy of notice that the mega hit of Psy’s “Gangnam Style” helped the royalties of the entertainment, broadcasting and film firms rise by $10 million last year, compared to previous years.

Click here for the original Yonhap News Article.

DMC Tower 18th~19th Floor, 189 Sungam-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, Korea

Global Tel: +82-2-726-1104, 1130 | Fax: +82-2-777-7334 | global@wips.co.kr
Japan Tel: +82-2-726-1113, 1107 | Fax: +82-2-777-7334 | wips-jp@wips.co.kr

China, Taiwan Tel: +82-2-726-1038, 1130 | Fax: +82-2-777-7334 | global@wips.co.kr 

Creative ideas for expectant mothers!

Pregnant women always need extra care for babies and their own health. Let’s see some of good inventions for pregnant women! 

pregnancyseatbeltharness.com

This is a car seat belt for both babies and moms. The piXie pregnancy seat belt is designed to protect drivers (moms) and her unborn baby while driving a car. It has diagonal straps which across the between chest and stomach, so it will be comfortable! 

trendhunter.com

This Pregnancy Pulse can keep monitoring mom and baby’s health. When there is an emergency situation, user can press the button and call doctor immediately.

bedbathandbeyond.com

Having good resting time is important to all pregnant women. This body pillow will help to have good sleep those moms who are expecting their babies soon when they are sleeping.

DMC Tower 18th~19th Floor, 189 Sungam-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, Korea
Global Tel: +82-2-726-1104, 1130 | Fax: +82-2-777-7334 | global@wips.co.kr

Japan Tel: +82-2-726-1113, 1107 | Fax: +82-2-777-7334 | wips-jp@wips.co.kr

China, Taiwan Tel: +82-2-726-1038, 1130 | Fax: +82-2-777-7334 | global@wips.co.kr

Michael Kors Sues Costco for Using his name on “bait-and-switch” Ad

costco.com

A famous fashion designer Michael Kors sued Costco, Reuters reported.

Costco is accused of “bait-and-switch” advertising campaigns with his handbags. According to the filing, Costco has not been authorized as a retailer of Michael Kors’ products, but it sent email advertisements suggesting that the handbags are “starting at $99”. Michael Kors said that none of the retail stores on website was selling its products.

Michael Kors is seeking a court order to stop advertising it and damages from false ads.

Costrom had a trademark lawsuit against Tiffany & Co, earlier this year.

▶wipscorp.blogspot.kr/2013/02/tiffany-co-sues-costco-for-selling-fake.html

▶wipscorp.blogspot.kr/2013/03/tiffany-setting-is-generic-term-costco.html

DMC Tower 18th~19th Floor, 189 Sungam-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, Korea
Global Tel: +82-2-726-1104, 1130 | Fax: +82-2-777-7334 | global@wips.co.kr

Japan Tel: +82-2-726-1113, 1107 | Fax: +82-2-777-7334 | wips-jp@wips.co.kr

China, Taiwan Tel: +82-2-726-1038, 1130 | Fax: +82-2-777-7334 | global@wips.co.kr

ITO film patent dispute between LG Chem and Nitto Denko

LG Chem and Nitto Denko are under Indium-Tin Oxide Film patent dispute.

ITO Film is transparent and colorless electricity film.  It is the core material of touch screen panel used in various mart devices including smart phone and Tablet PC.

                 
The quality of Smart devices can be varies by the quality of ITO film and tempered glass.

The ITO film is in great demand in the market domestically and internationally.  It is expected that the demand for ITO film will keep increase as long as the smart devices are manufactured.  

Nitto Denko takes 80% of world ITO film market share, and Korean companies including LG Chem, Hanhwa L&C, and Coorong Industry are just about to break into the ITO film market. 

Korean domestic companies also recognized that ITO film market’s potential.

In July, market number one company Nitto Denko made an action for infringement of patent against LG Chem related to ITO film technology. 

WIPS Global Search Resutl: Nitto Denko's ITO Film patent

LG Chem raised invalidation trial against Nitto Denko to patent tribunal as a response.

LG Chem claimed that there is no reason to protect Nitto Denko’s patent because the technology has long been used and there are many other similar technologies have existed. 

LG Chem also mentioned that they succeed in domestically producing complete its own technology after year of studies.  In addition, LG Chem stated that Nitto Denko is obstructing by its patents which will die soon to prevent competitor’s market advance.

Preoccupied companies raise the patent litigation to maintain its market share is the recent trend.  Hence, it is considered that other companies entered the market also will have chance to get into the patent infringement.

LG Chem and Nitto Denko are also running neck and neck in the large LCT polarized plate market. 

The patent lawsuit between LG Chem and Nitto Denko will be done in August. 

DMC Tower 18th~19th Floor, 189 Sungam-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, Korea
Global Tel: +82-2-726-1104, 1130 | Fax: +82-2-777-7334 | global@wips.co.kr

Japan Tel: +82-2-726-1113, 1107 | Fax: +82-2-777-7334 | wips-jp@wips.co.kr

China, Taiwan Tel: +82-2-726-1038, 1130 | Fax: +82-2-777-7334 | global@wips.co.kr

Interesting ways to have beer time!

trendhunter.com

It is important to keep beers  cool while having parties. This beer cooler which has vertical stick shape, can make your beer stay cold. You can keep this cooler in the freezer and put into the bottle whenever you need cold beer!

kickstyle.me

This bottle opener can count how many beer caps it opens. Heavy drinkers don't have to worry about having too many bottles of beers on a night. It will be helpful to the servers!

freedomflask.com

This is Freedom Flask designed for those who can't give up beers at concerts or games where the beers are not allowed. It looks comfortable to bring own beers, but it will be hard to watch when they pour beer from their pants.

DMC Tower 18th~19th Floor, 189 Sungam-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, Korea
Global Tel: +82-2-726-1104, 1130 | Fax: +82-2-777-7334 | global@wips.co.kr

Japan Tel: +82-2-726-1113, 1107 | Fax: +82-2-777-7334 | wips-jp@wips.co.kr

China, Taiwan Tel: +82-2-726-1038, 1130 | Fax: +82-2-777-7334 | global@wips.co.kr