Administrative

Trademark Infringement Lawyer

Trademark Infringement Lawyer | What counts as infringement and how disputes are resolved

Summary

Trademark infringement occurs when someone uses a mark identical or similar to a registered trademark, on identical or similar goods or services, in a way likely to cause confusion as to the source (상표법 제108조). It can trigger both a civil claim for an injunction and damages, and separately, criminal liability (상표법 제230조). Whether a given use actually infringes depends on similarity of the marks, similarity of the goods, and whether the use functions as a source identifier at all — none of which is a simple yes/no question in practice.

Administrative · IP Related law: Trademark Act Related law: Unfair Competition Prevention Act Civil & Criminal

Trademark Infringement | Civil Injunction vs. Damages Claim vs. Criminal Complaint

A trademark owner is not limited to one remedy. The right combination depends on how urgent the harm is, whether damages can be quantified, and how much leverage is needed to force a resolution.

Preliminary Injunction

When ongoing use needs to stop immediately

Speed	Weeks, decided on written submissions
What it achieves	Court order to stop use before trial
Burden	Must show urgency and likely success
Cost profile	Lower than full trial, but requires a bond

Based on injunctive relief under Article 107 of the Trademark Act (상표법 제107조); often filed alongside or before the main lawsuit.

Civil Lawsuit (Damages)

When the goal is compensation for past harm

Speed	Typically 6 months to over a year
What it achieves	Monetary judgment, plus permanent injunction
Burden	Must prove infringement and quantify loss
Cost profile	Higher, scales with case complexity

Damages can be calculated using statutory presumptions tied to the infringer's profits (상표법 제110조).

Criminal Complaint

When leverage or deterrence matters most

Speed	Investigation timeline varies, often months
What it achieves	Potential fine or imprisonment for infringer
Burden	Willfulness/intent scrutinized by prosecutors
Cost profile	Lower direct cost, but no damages awarded

Based on criminal penalties under 상표법 제230조; prosecutors retain discretion over whether to indict.

Trademark Infringement | What Has to Be Shown to Establish Infringement

Korean trademark law defines infringement primarily through Article 108 of the Trademark Act, plus deemed-infringement categories that catch preparatory or borderline conduct. Each category below is a separate route by which a claim can be framed.

Article 108(1)(1)

Use of an identical mark on identical goods
This is the core infringement scenario: someone uses a mark that is the same as, or effectively indistinguishable from, the registered mark, on the same or effectively the same goods or services. Courts look at overall impression rather than a mechanical letter-by-letter comparison.

Article 108(1)(2)-(4)

Similar mark or similar goods
Infringement also covers use of a similar mark on identical/similar goods, or an identical/similar mark on similar goods, where confusion about the source is likely. Similarity is judged by appearance, pronunciation, and meaning, and the comparison is not always symmetric — a mark can be similar in sound but not meaning, for example.

Deemed infringement

Preparatory acts under Article 108(2)
Manufacturing or possessing packaging, labels, or tags bearing the mark for the purpose of using them on infringing goods can itself be treated as infringement, even before any sale takes place. This matters for manufacturers and printers who are one step removed from the final sale.

Exhaustion & fair use

Limits that can defeat a claim
Descriptive or nominative use of a mark to identify one's own name, place of business, or the actual origin/quality of goods is generally not treated as trademark use in the infringing sense (상표법 제90조). Parallel imports of genuine goods and exhausted-rights arguments can also block a claim depending on the facts.

Civil and criminal tracks run separately

A trademark owner can pursue a civil injunction and damages claim, file a criminal complaint, or do both at the same time (상표법 제230조 provides for imprisonment or fines for infringement). Being cleared in one track does not automatically resolve the other, so accused parties often need to manage both fronts.

Trademark Infringement | Responding to a Cease-and-Desist Notice or Lawsuit

Many disputes start with a warning letter (내용증명) demanding that you stop using a mark, destroy inventory, or pay damages. How you respond in the first few weeks often shapes the rest of the case.

Do not assume the letter is automatically valid

A cease-and-desist letter reflects one side's legal position, not a court ruling. The sender's registration may be vulnerable to invalidation, the goods/services may not actually overlap, or your use may fall under a recognized exception. Reviewing the underlying registration and use history before responding can change the calculus entirely.

Preserve evidence of your own use

If you started using a similar mark before the other side's registration or in a different market segment, records of first use date, sales, and advertising can support a prior-use or non-confusion defense. Once a dispute is anticipated, gather this evidence early rather than reconstructing it later.

Consider whether a provisional injunction is likely

Trademark owners can seek a preliminary injunction to stop use before a final judgment, which can be far more damaging to a business than the eventual damages award. If the risk looks real, planning a rebranding contingency alongside the legal defense is often more practical than betting everything on winning outright.

Trademark Infringement | Building an Enforcement Strategy as the Rights Holder

Owning a registered mark does not by itself stop infringement — enforcement requires evidence, a chosen remedy, and often a judgment call about cost versus benefit.

Document the infringing use before sending a warning

Screenshots, purchase records, and dated samples of the infringing goods matter more once a warning letter puts the other side on notice that they may alter or delete evidence. Test purchases and notarized records of online listings are commonly used to lock in the facts.

Calculate whether damages will be provable

Korean courts have historically required concrete proof of damages, which can be difficult when the infringer's sales records are not available. The Trademark Act includes provisions allowing damages to be estimated based on the infringer's profits or a reasonable royalty (상표법 제110조), which can ease this burden but still requires supporting evidence.

Decide between civil injunction, criminal complaint, or both

A criminal complaint can create pressure for a quick settlement but is subject to prosecutorial discretion and does not itself award damages. A civil claim for injunction and damages takes longer but gives the rights holder more direct control over the remedy sought.

Trademark Infringement | How Courts Assess Likelihood of Confusion

Both sides of a dispute ultimately argue about the same test: whether an ordinary consumer is likely to be confused about the source of the goods or services.

Mark similarity is assessed on three axes

Courts compare appearance, pronunciation, and meaning, and a mark can be found similar even if it differs on one or two of these axes if the overall impression still creates confusion. Composite marks (word plus logo) are often broken down and compared element by element as well as as a whole.

Goods/services similarity is not limited to the same category

The Korean Intellectual Property Office's classification system is a reference point, not a binding rule — goods in different classes can still be found similar if consumers would reasonably assume a common source, for example due to overlapping distribution channels or target customers.

Actual confusion is not required

A rights holder does not need to prove that any specific customer was actually confused; a likelihood of confusion in the mind of an average consumer is enough. This is why survey evidence, while sometimes used, is not strictly necessary to succeed on this element.

Trademark Infringement | From First Contact to Resolution

Initial case review
We review the registration, the accused use, and any existing correspondence to assess whether infringement (or a valid defense) is realistic, and what remedies make sense.

Evidence gathering
For owners, this means documenting the infringing use; for accused parties, this means documenting your own use history and any grounds for a defense or invalidation challenge.

Warning letter or response
Many disputes are resolved or narrowed at this stage without litigation, through negotiated cessation, licensing, or a coexistence agreement.

Provisional injunction (if urgent)
Where ongoing harm is significant, a preliminary injunction application can be filed to stop the use before the main case is decided.

Litigation or criminal proceedings
If negotiation fails, the case proceeds to a civil trial on injunction/damages, a criminal complaint, or both, with each track running on its own timeline.

Settlement or judgment
Many trademark disputes settle once the relative strength of each side's position becomes clear through the litigation process, but some proceed to final judgment.

Trademark Infringement | How Fees Are Typically Calculated

Retainer fee
Usually set based on the complexity of the case — whether it involves a single warning letter response, a full civil lawsuit, or parallel civil and criminal tracks — rather than a flat rate.

Success fee
For rights holders, often tied to the amount of damages recovered or whether an injunction is obtained. For accused parties, often tied to dismissal, reduced liability, or a favorable settlement.

Preliminary injunction costs
Filing for a preliminary injunction typically requires posting a bond set by the court, separate from attorney fees, which the client should budget for.

Evidence-related costs
Test purchases, notarization of online evidence, and expert opinions on similarity or damages calculation can add to the overall cost depending on how contested the case is.

Criminal complaint costs
Filing a criminal complaint alongside a civil case is generally billed separately, reflecting the additional work of preparing a complaint and cooperating with the investigation.

※ Costs vary depending on case complexity and specific circumstances; exact fees will be provided during consultation. No specific outcome is guaranteed.

Trademark Infringement | Self-Check Before You Contact a Lawyer

1️⃣ If you received a warning letter

Does the letter identify a specific registered trademark number and registration date?
Did you start using your mark before the sender's registration date or in a clearly different market?
Does your use describe your own name, location, or the actual nature of the goods rather than acting as a brand?
Have you kept records of when you first started using your mark?

2️⃣ If you are enforcing your own trademark

Is your trademark currently registered and in force, not just pending or expired?
Can you show the infringer's use in a dated, verifiable form (screenshots, purchases, listings)?
Do you have any records of your own sales or licensing revenue to support a damages claim?
Is the harm ongoing in a way that would justify seeking a preliminary injunction?

3️⃣ Before deciding between civil and criminal action

Is your main goal to stop the use, recover money, or apply pressure for a quick resolution?
Can you show the infringer's intent or knowledge, which matters more heavily in a criminal complaint?
Are you prepared for a civil case to take considerably longer than a criminal complaint?

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. I registered my trademark first — does that automatically mean I win?

A. Registration gives you the exclusive right to use the mark for the goods/services it covers (상표법 제89조), but infringement still requires showing that the accused use is identical or similar and creates a likelihood of confusion. A registered mark can also be challenged for invalidity in a separate proceeding, which can undercut an infringement claim.

Q. Can I be sued even if I didn't know the mark was registered?

A. Yes — civil infringement liability under the Trademark Act generally does not require proof that you knew about the registration, though your knowledge and intent can matter for the amount of damages and for whether a criminal complaint is likely to proceed (상표법 제230조 for criminal liability typically requires willfulness).

Q. What's the difference between trademark infringement and unfair competition?

A. Trademark infringement is based on a registered right under the Trademark Act, while an unfair competition claim under a separate statute can apply even to unregistered marks or trade dress if there is a likelihood of confusion with a mark that has acquired recognition (부정경쁘방지 및 영업비밀보호에 관한 법률). The two claims are often raised together when a registration is uncertain or under challenge.

Q. How long does a trademark infringement lawsuit take in Korea?

A. A first-instance civil case commonly takes anywhere from six months to over a year depending on how contested the similarity and damages issues are, while a preliminary injunction can be decided in a matter of weeks. Criminal complaints depend on the investigating prosecutor's caseload and can also take several months.

Q. Can I get an injunction without proving monetary damages?

A. Yes, injunctive relief under the Trademark Act focuses on stopping the infringing use rather than compensating for past loss, so it can be sought even where damages are hard to quantify (상표법 제107조). A separate damages claim can be pursued at the same time or afterward.

Q. What happens to counterfeit goods that are seized?

A. Courts can order the destruction of infringing goods and the materials used to produce them (such as packaging, labels, and molds) as part of an injunction judgment. Customs authorities also have separate procedures to seize counterfeit imports at the border, which is a parallel track from a civil lawsuit.

Q. Is parallel importing of genuine branded goods trademark infringement?

A. Parallel imports of genuine goods put on the market with the trademark owner's consent are generally not treated as infringement under exhaustion principles, but this depends heavily on the specific facts, including whether the imported goods differ materially from those sold domestically. Each case requires a close look at how the goods entered the market.

Q. Can using a similar-sounding brand name for a completely different product still be infringement?

A. It depends on whether the original mark is well-known enough that consumers might assume a business connection even across different product categories, and on how similar the goods/services actually are in the eyes of consumers. Marks with strong recognition receive broader protection against use on more distant goods.

Q. Do I need to register my trademark in every country I sell in?

A. Trademark rights are generally territorial, so a Korean registration protects you within Korea but does not automatically extend abroad, and vice versa for foreign registrations used in Korea. Businesses selling internationally often need a country-by-country or Madrid Protocol filing strategy, which is a separate matter from responding to an existing infringement dispute.

Official References

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