[Maeil Business Newspaper] Webtoon “Leviathan” Copyright Dispute: Court Rules It Is Not a Sole Work of the Author
On August 18, 2025, Maeil Business Newspaper published a detailed report on the achievements of Lee & Ko’s Intellectual Property Practice Group.
According to the article, “The Suwon District Court’s 14th Civil Division ruled in a declaratory judgment action regarding copyright filed by Project Moon against the author of the webtoon Leviathan that the webtoon Leviathan is a joint work co-created by Project Moon and the author.”
The article further noted, “According to Lee & Ko, which represented Project Moon, Leviathan was produced under the company’s initiative based on Project Moon’s own fictional universe. The firm stated that the company was deeply involved in key creative processes such as developing the theme, characters, and storyboards, and that the court recognized these facts in its judgment.”
2025.08.18
[Chosun Ilbo] “‘Coway Ice Water Purifier’ Did Not Infringe ChungHo’s Patent—Final Ruling After 11 Years”
On May 15, 2025, Chosun Ilbo published an article highlighting the achievements of Lee & Ko’s Intellectual Property Practice Group in the long-running patent dispute between Coway and ChungHo. According to the article, the Supreme Court’s Third Division upheld the appellate court’s decision, thereby conclusively rejecting ChungHo’s claims of patent infringement and damages against Coway. This final ruling affirms Coway’s victory, with Lee & Ko representing Coway in the appellate court and the Supreme Court. The article explained that the court of first instance initially found Coway liable for patent infringement, ordering the company to pay KRW 10 billion to ChungHo and to destroy the infringing products. However, the appellate court subsequently overturned this decision, ruling in favor of Coway. The appellate court determined that the essence of ChungHo’s patent was the process of making ice directly from pre-cooled water, while Coway’s product made ice using water at various temperatures. The court also noted significant differences between key components of the two products. The article continued, “The Supreme Court also found that the appellate court’s decision was correct,” adding, “Coway represented by Lee & Ko ultimately prevailed in the 11-year patent infringement lawsuit against ChungHo over ice water purifiers.”
2025.05.15
[Maeil Business Newspaper] “Entrust Your Complex International Disputes to Us” – Lee & Ko’s Global Disputes Group brings together ten specialized teams under one roof
On April 28, 2025, the Maeil Business Newspaper spotlighted Lee & Ko’s Global Disputes Group. The article reported that “Lee & Ko has become the first Korean law firm to establish a comprehensive Global Disputes Group, designed to offer expert-driven and coordinated solutions to complex international disputes.”
The article noted that “the Global Disputes Group, led by Dr. Eun Young Park, is comprised of over ten specialized teams, including the International Arbitration Team, International Litigation Team, International IP Disputes Team, International Trade Team, and Economic Sanctions Team. The Group is structured to provide integrated and coordinated solutions as well as tailored solutions depending on the nature of the disputes and the issue at stake.”
The article further highlighted that “the launch of Lee & Ko’s Global Disputes Group marks an unprecedented initiative by Korean law firms. It is seen as an industry-leading and strategic step, positioning the firm to proactively respond to increasingly complex and sophisticated international disputes.”
2025.04.28
[Seoul Economic Daily] Microscopic analysis down to messages: A company was saved from the brink of losing its patent by Lee & Ko
On March 30, 2025, Seoul Economic Daily reported on the victory of Lee & Ko’s Intellectual Property Practice Group. The article stated, “Lee & Ko’s Intellectual Property Practice Group successfully represented Wonik PNE, a manufacturer of secondary battery activation devices, in a lawsuit over patent ownership against a competing company.” It further highlighted that “after a prolonged dispute lasting three years and four months, Lee & Ko’s Intellectual Property Practice Group secured decisive victories for Wonik PNE before both the court of first instance and the court of second instance.” During the litigation process, Lee & Ko attorneys proved that the patent was the result of an employee invention developed by Wonik PNE employees during their work duties, thereby preventing the leakage of core technologies.
2025.03.30