Kasan's Clients


Samsung Electronics

  • Semiconductor Division
  • Digital Appliance Division
  • Mobile Display Division



Other Companies within Samsung Group

  • Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology
  • Samsung Heavy Industries
  • Samsung Techwin
  • Samsung Electro-Mechanics
  • Cheil Industries
  • Semes


Research Institutes and Universities

  • Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI)
  • Center of Nanostructured Materials Technology (CNMT)
  • Korea Institute of Materials Science, Changwon
  • Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology
  • Yonsei University
  • Chungang University
  • Soongsil University
  • Hanyang University
  • Seoul National University
  • Kyungpook National University
  • Jeju National University
  • Gangneung-Wonju National University



Other Clients

  • POSCO
  • Mando Machinery
  • KT
  • SL
  • Wonik IPS
  • Hana Micron
  • Shinwha Intertek
  • Partron
  • Hirose Korea
  • Oy AJAT
  • Daewoong Pharmaceutical
  • Hanlim Pharmaceutical
  • Korea Prime Pharmaceutical
  • Wooshin Medics
  • Lie Sang Bong
  • Egoist
  • InnoMTek
  • Ace Technology
  • Sports TOTO

Practice Areas


IP Prosecutions 


Patents and Utility Models
We have years of experience in drafting patent specifications, translating foreign language specifications into Korean versions, preparing patent applications, filing and prosecuting patent applications before the Korean Intellectual Property Office. Covering all technological areas, our members are organized into three working groups: Electrical and Electronics team, Mechanical and Metallurgical team and Chemistry, Pharmaceutical and Biotechnological team. Each team consists of patent attorneys and patent engineers with technical backgrounds.
  • Mechanical and Metallurgical group: mechanical devices, precision machinery, automobiles, metallurgy, and materials science
  • Electrical and Electronics group: electrical, electronics, semiconductor, computer software, business methods, information technology, communications, and displays
  • Chemical and Biotechnological group: chemicals, pharmaceuticals, biochemistry, biotechnology, textiles, and polymers

- Trademarks and Designs
We understand the essential role of trademarks in today's business world. Our experienced trademark attorneys and staff offer the most cost effective and practical approaches to resolving the trademark-related problems our clients face. We provide a trademark search service based on the largest databases in Korea and expert opinions on the availability of the trademark in the Korean market, and on the registration of the subject trademark. We have a wealth of experience in preparing, filing, prosecuting trademark and design applications before the Korean Intellectual Property Office. We also have extensive experience in the areas of oppositions, invalidation trials and cancellation trials.



Litigation, Enforcement, and Dispute Resolution 


Our firm represents clients on a regular basis in regard to warning letters, preliminary or permanent injunctions, damage compensation, and criminal action. Our patent litigation team consists of an attorney at law as litigator, patent attorneys and patent engineers with specific technological backgrounds. The attorneys at KASAN have a great deal of experience in IP disputes at the IP Tribunal of the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO). KASAN has been dealing with numerous IP disputes, which makes them the right choice as a strategic mediator in this area. We provide search services of the prior art for patents, registered trademarks, designs, and we have expertise in analyzing the prior art and providing expert opinions on the availability of registration or the possibility of infringement.



Unfair Competition, Trade Secrets, Copyrights, and Domain Name Disputes 


Our services extend to the areas of unfair competition prevention and trade secret protection. Under the Korea Unfair Competition Prevention and Trade Secret Protection Act, we advise clients on the best strategy to protect valuable information or new technologies that are not covered by patent system. Our practices cover the prevention of unfair competition by third parties. We also help clients in preparing and filing copyright registration applications and often represent clients in mediation procedure before the Korea Copyright Commission for Mediation and Conciliation or in litigation before courts. And we advise clients regarding domain name disputes, internet or e-commerce issues.



IP Management Services 


Within KASAN, a separate IPMC (the Intellectual Property Management & Consulting Company) provides maintenance services for patents, trademarks and designs. We have helped our clients pay annuities, record changes and transfers, and others. And Kasan's licensing attorney had worked for many years in the largest corporation in Korea–Samsung–dealing with licensing matters. With the extensive knowledge and deep insight into Korean industry we offer, our clients are guaranteed to secure both suitable partnerships and a firm customer channel. We also provide Intellectual Property evaluation services, including due diligence, validity studies, liability checks and assessment of IP rights in Korea.

Need for Korean Patent Application


1. Korea Has an Attractive Market with a Respectable Size.


i. In 2013, Korea has a sizable market, and is currently the 13th largest economy in the world. Moreover, Korea is in the midst of broadening its scope of trades, as well as increasing the size of such trades through Free Trade Agreements (FTA) with the United States, Europe, China, Japan, and more.

ii. Current Status of FTA
Since entering into FTA with the United States in 2012, and with the European Union in 2011, the size of trades between Korea and the US and the EU is continuing to increase. Korea is in the process of entering into FTA with China and Japan as well.


2. Numerous International Companies Are Currently Applying for Patent Protections in Korea. 


i. In 2012, the number of Korean patent applications reached approximately 190,000 – this makes Korea the 5th largest nation in the world, in terms of number of patent applications. Approximately 40,000 applications – 21% of the total 190,000 applications – are submitted by foreign companies, reaffirming Korea’s status as a convenient forum for patent protection.

ii. In addition, 11,000 applications – accounting for approximately 25% of the 40,000 patent applications by foreign companies – were filed by American companies.


3. The Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) Is Highly Trusted Internationally, And Is Appointed To Be The PCT International Searching Authority in Approximately 1/3 Of The U.S. PCT Applications.

   
Year
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
PCT application in USA
54,042
51,642
45,627
45,008
48,596
PCT international Search by KIPO
2,735
11,371
13,356
13,319
15,168
Source: WIPO, PCT Yearly Review 2012 (May 2012), KIPO


Chief Foreign Enterprises as PCT International Search Requester in KIPO (2012)


  • INTEL (semiconductor) 
  • MICROSOFT (software) 
  • HEWLETT-PACKARD (computer and electronic appliances) 
  • BAKER HUGHES (oil well development) 
  • Applied Materials (semiconductor production equipment) 
  • THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA (medical supplies and chemistry) 
  • GOOGLE (internet search) 
  • 3M (electronic and information technology) 
  • CATERPILLAR (machines of construction) 
  • KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE(health and hygiene item)


4. Using KIPO’s Accelerated Patent Examination Track Provides the Shortest Turnaround Time for Patent Issuance in the World.


i. Applications utilizing the accelerated examination track of the KIPO issue in approximately 3 months (approximately 10 months in cases of office actions).

ii. Quickly obtaining patent protections in Korea may have a positive influence in acquiring patent protections overseas for the invention.

iii. Please refer to the link below for specific requirements and protocols for requesting the KIPO accelerated track for examinations.
http://goo.gl/Acw3I7



5. Why Kasan? - Kasan's Patent Application Service


  • One Stop Service
        We provide A full-range of legal services in IP related matters.
  • Emphasis on Quality
        Almost all works are done by licensed professionals.
  • Accumulated Knowhow
        We have represented a variety of clients including Samsung, government organizations, and medium-sized companies. 
  • Swift Work Process
        We developed our own IP management system, XPAT, and we are ranked at the top in the agent evaluation of Samsung.

Kasan's Representative Litigation Cases


- Pfizer Inc. v. Ahn-Gook, a Korean Pharmaceutical Company
Kasan IP and Law Firm successfully defended a Korean pharmaceutical company against allegations of infringement of a patent relating to Pfizer’s blockbuster medicine Norvasc® in preliminary injunction and permanent injunction infringement litigation, and successfully represented the Korean company in invalidation proceedings, trial to confirm the scope of a patent right and appeals against the trial decisions before the Korean Patent Court and the Supreme Court.

- Tokyo Electron Limited v. IPS, a Korean semiconductor equipment company
We successfully represented a Korean semiconductor manufacturing equipment company in patent infringement litigation before a civil court, invalidation trials before the IPT in KIPO, appeals against the trial decision before the Korean Patent Court. Also we successfully represented our client in criminal prosecution proceedings relating to trade secret theft allegation against TEL. 

- Gilead v. Daewoong, a Korean pharmaceutical company
Our firm successfully defended a Korean pharmaceutical company against allegations of infringement of a patent relating to Gilead’s blockbuster drug Hepsera®, in preliminary injunction case, patent infringement litigation, invalidation trials before the IPT in KIPO and appeal against the trial decision. 

- Konami v. a Korean game company 
The firm successfully defended a Korean game company in copyright and trademark infringement litigations and criminal prosecution cases, relating to Konami’s famous characters and trademarks. 

- KEC, a Korean electronics company v. ASE
We defended ASE against a Korean electronics company in criminal prosecution and litigation relating to theft of trade secret involving semiconductor packaging technologies. 

- P&G v. Wooshin, a Korean pharmaceutical company
We successfully defended a Korean generic company in invalidation trial, trial to confirm the scope of a patent and appeal against the trial decisions before the Korean Patent Court and the Supreme Court relating to developing and marketing of a generic version of P&G’s patented medicine Risedronate Sodium for treating osteoporosis. 

- ALCON v. Hanlim, a Korean pharmaceutical company
Kasan successfully represented a Korean generic company in invalidation trial and appeal against the trial decision, relating to developing and marketing of a generic version of ALCON’s patented medicine Patanol® for treating allergic conjunctivitis. 

- INNOMTEK v. CDM Bridge
The firm successfully represented INNOMTEK in infringement litigation and preliminary injunction cases involving Bluetooth and USB driver technologies. 

- TRY Brands v. a personal business owner
We successfully represented TRY Brands in trademark infringement litigation involving a well-known trademark for clothing.  

- Shinwha v. Mirae 
We represented Shinwha in patent infringement litigation and invalidation trial, relating to a patent on diffusion film for LCD.

- Dash v. a Korean consumer goods company
Kasan successfully defended a Korean consumer goods company against allegations of infringement of a patent relating to household goods in preliminary injunction.

- Sports TOTO v. a personal business owner
We successfully represented Sports TOTO in patent infringement litigation, invalidation trial and appeal for the trial decision against a personal business owner.

- Wonik, a Korean semiconductor equipment company v. a former researcher of the company
The firm successfully represented a Korean semiconductor equipment company in a trade secret theft case against a former researcher of the company, throughout criminal prosecution, preliminary injunction and infringement litigation.  

- Ace Tech, a Korean electronics company v. Hirose Korea, an electronics joint venture between a Korean company and a Japanese company
Kasan IP and Law Firm successfully represented an electronics joint venture between a Korean company and a Japanese company in a trade secret theft case involving mobile antenna technology against Ace Tech throughout criminal prosecution, preliminary injunction and litigation for damages.  

- A Korean construction and engineering company “S” v. a Korean construction and engineering company “I”
The firm successfully represented a Korean construction and engineering company “S” in patent disputes and disputes relating to “New Excellent Technology” certification from Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.  

- National Health Insurance Corporation v. Seoul National University
We successfully defended Seoul National University in insurance benefits refund litigation against National Health Insurance Corporation. 

- SK Chemical, a Korean pharmaceutical company v. Dongkuk, a Korean pharmaceutical company 
We successfully defended Dongkuk, a Korean pharmaceutical company in patent infringement litigations, trademark infringement litigation, invalidation trial and trial to confirm the scope of a patent before the IPT in KIPO relating to a patented drug of a combination of existing two drugs.  

- National Health Insurance Corporation v. Kyungbo, a Korean pharmaceutical company
The firm successfully defended a Korean pharmaceutical company in pharmaceutical expenditure refund litigation, relating to active pharmaceutical ingredients exemption provision.  

- Daewoong, a Korean metal working company v. a personal business owner 
We successfully represented a Korean metalworking company in patent infringement litigation, invalidation trial and appeal for the trial decision, against a personal business owner. 

- Choistech, a Korean electronics startup v. a Korean electronics company 
Kasan successfully represented Choistech, a Korean small electronics company in a trade secret theft case relating to electronic accessories for iPhone by obtaining injunctive relief against a Korean electronics company. 

- Oy Ajat v. Vatech, a Korean medical device company
We successfully represented a Finnish medical device company Oy Ajat in patent infringement litigation, invalidation trial, post-grant amendment trial and appeal against the trial decisions, relating to a dental instrument.  

- Flowmaster Korea v. a Korean software company
Kasan successfully represented Flowmaster Korea, a subsidiary of American software company Flowmaster Inc., in a trade secret theft case relating to computational fluid dynamics simulation software, against a Korean software company.

- Saerom v. a Korean cable TV company 
We successfully represented Saerom in design right infringement litigation and related criminal prosecution against a Korean cable TV company.