Legal Intellectual

How does a patent infringement lawsuit proceed?

About three years ago, our company registered a patent for core control technology applied to industrial automation equipment. The patent concerns a control algorithm and components that increase the operating efficiency of the equipment, and it is still applied and used in our flagship products. However, recently a competitor appears to be selling equipment that operates in a manner very similar to the core configuration of our patent. What worries me most is whether we should immediately file a patent infringement lawsuit, by what procedure it proceeds, and, if we do litigate, how much of a burden the time, cost, and proof will be.

Please tell me how to respond to a patent dispute…

We are an IT company operating a mobile platform service. We have operated a service that provides customized information based on the user's location, and recently we updated the structure of the main features to improve user convenience. However, after the update, we were subjected to a criminal complaint by a competitor on the ground that we infringed its patented technology. That feature corresponds to a core function of the service, so if it becomes a problem, the situation could greatly affect the suspension of the service or the business as a whole. The competitor is asserting that we implemented the feature in a similar manner despite being aware of its patented technology, and is also raising the claim that it may constitute indirect infringement under the Patent Act. From our standpoint, we have not imitated or referred to any particular patent, and we have developed the feature on our own through an internal planning and improvement process. I would like to know specifically how to respond to a patent dispute, including how to establish a defense strategy without suspending the operation of the service.

I have been told to come in for a police investigation on suspicion of copyright infringement... how should I respond?

A few days ago, I received a request to appear from the police, stating that there was a suspicion of copyright infringement. In the past I have used a torrent program, but I have never distributed or sold files for commercial purposes; I only watched videos personally. I am anxious because I have no idea what points the police will focus on in the investigation, what I should say, and what I should not say. I am also worried that saying something wrong might lead to criminal punishment or a fine. I would like to know whether, when one comes to be investigated by the police on suspicion of copyright infringement, there are matters that must be prepared before the investigation, and whether this is a situation in which I should receive an attorney's help.

In what cases is patent infringement litigation filed, and what points should companies pay particular attention to?

I run a small and medium-sized manufacturing business. Recently, as technical disputes with competitors have increased, I have been hearing that patent infringement litigation occurs frequently. I would like to know specifically in what cases patent infringement litigation is filed, and whether mere technical similarity or differences in product structure alone can become a problem. I would also like to know the scope of liability a company must bear when a matter actually leads to litigation.

How do we use the employee invention system?

Our company has a relatively large R&D workforce, so employees make various technical ideas and inventions during the development process. Recently, I have heard a lot about the need to overhaul the compensation system for employee inventions, so I am trying to review our internal regulations. However, matters such as how to receive reports of employee inventions, by what procedure the company decides whether to acquire them, and by what standards compensation should be paid are not well organized, so I have many concerns. It must be fair to employees, and from the company's standpoint, we must stably secure patent rights, trade secrets, and the like. Could you explain how the employee invention system should actually be used and operated in a company?

What is the copyright protection period?

During his lifetime, my father was active as a novelist and wrote several works. However, with my father's passing one year ago, I am looking into the copyright of the remaining novels and the issue of succeeding to those rights. My father's works are still being sold by publishers, so I would like to know whether our family can assert the copyright holder's rights over these works and how long the copyright protection period is maintained. If copyright is protected even after my father's death, I would also be grateful if you could explain how those rights should be legally exercised.

Is there anyone who can recommend a Yeouido attorney?

Recently I have been at risk of punishment on suspicion of violating the Copyright Act. I have used a certain software program since my university days, and the company that makes it has apparently filed a copyright complaint claiming that I copied and used the program without authorization.. I work in Yeouido and would like to have a consultation during my lunch break, so if there is anyone who can recommend a Yeouido attorney, I would appreciate it.

It seems I may be punished for copyright infringement. How should I respond?

While playing a game, my level was not going up much.. so I searched online and found that there is something called a hack program. So I purchased that program and set it up to automatically raise my level. After that, I got tired of the game and had to study, so I quit, but only now, several years later, I have received a contact telling me to come in for a police investigation for copyright infringement. I looked into it and heard that copyright infringement is a crime requiring a complaint to prosecute, so I might not be punished if I reach a settlement. Is that right? How should I respond?

Will I be punished for a copyright offense requiring a complaint?

Recently, a friend offered to lend me a lecture textbook, so I scanned the book and made it into a PDF file. Because the textbook was quite expensive, I thought other classmates would need it too, so I posted a sale listing on the on-campus secondhand trading platform, and sales actually took place several times. However, a few days ago, I received notice that the textbook publisher had filed a complaint against me for a copyright offense requiring a complaint, and I was also instructed to appear for a police investigation. I have an important exam coming up and hope the case will not drag on, so is there any way to avoid punishment for the copyright offense requiring a complaint or to conclude the case early?