As one of a handful of international firms with strong IP practices in the Korean market, Ropes & Gray LLP continues to be renowned for its patent enforcement work in the technology sector, representing the likes of Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics and CJ CheilJedang. Focusing on the technology, health care and manufacturing sectors, David Chun is among Korea’s most prominent patent litigators, and also acts in trade secret misappropriation, licensing and copyright infringements. William Kim chairs the Seoul office and is another the key contact for transactional IP matters.
Intellectual property: foreign firms in South Korea
Ropes & Gray LLP
Practice head(s):
David Chun; William Kim
Testimonials
‘Practical, client-oriented and hands-on advice’
Key clients
CJ CheilJedang
Global OLED Technology
Hanwha Group
LG Electronics
LINE Corporation
Naver
POSCO
Samsung Electronics
Seoul Semiconductor
SmartThings
Covington & Burling LLP
Specialising in patent infringement litigation, Scott Schrader is the lead partner for this line of work at Covington & Burling LLP Seoul’s office, acting primarily on issues regarding imports of allegedly infringing goods to the United States, and litigation involving mechanical engineering and computer software.
Practice head(s):
Scott Schrader
DLA Piper
DLA Piper‘s offering is led by Daniel Lee, an all-round transactional IP specialist who also takes on a significant number of patent litigation cases. Combined with the firms’ global presence and his IT and technology expertise gained in-house at IBM Korea, Lee advises on cybersecurity, cross-border IP-led transactions, prosecution and enforcement, IP litigation and administrative actions.
Practice head(s):
Daniel Lee
Paul Hastings LLP
Led out of its Los Angeles office, Paul Hastings LLP‘ Jong Han Kim handles patent infringement, trade secret issues and IP litigation on behalf of Korean electronics manufacturers, pharmaceuticals and consumer goods companies. With a wide network of international offices, the firm is well-equipped to lead and coordinate high-value multijurisdictional litigation. Lead Seoul-based associate, Charles Shin is handles disputes work, both in litigation and arbitration.
Practice head(s):
Jong Han Kim
Other key lawyers:
Charles Shin
Key clients
Kolon Industries
Samsung Electronics
KCC Corporation
Korean Air
LG Display
Work highlights
- Defending Samsung in a complex, multi-faceted intellectual property dispute, involving claims for patent infringement and trade secret misappropriation under US state and federal law.
- Defending Samsung against patent infringement allegations filed by Garrity Power Services (GPS) in the Eastern District of Texas regarding technology that allows mobile phones and tablets to charge other mobile devices wirelessly.
- Defending Samsung in a high-stakes matter by Elm 3DS, involving thirteen patents and targeting Samsung’s market-leading three-dimensional memory chips found in a wide-range of consumer products, including Samsung’s flagship Galaxy mobile phones, tablets, laptop computers, among others.