Strategic Intellectual Property Counsel — Korea

Min-jun Choi advises Korean and international clients on unfair competition prevention, trade secret protection, and intellectual property enforcement from Barun Law in Seoul.

With 12 years of practice concentrated on Korean IP and unfair competition law, Mr. Choi brings a strategic perspective honed through representing both domestic enterprises and multinational corporations in complex disputes, licensing negotiations, and preventative compliance programs. His practice addresses the full spectrum of competition-related IP issues arising in one of Asia's most dynamic and technologically advanced markets.

Practice Philosophy

Mr. Choi believes that effective IP protection in Korea requires more than legal filings — it demands a thorough understanding of the commercial context in which IP assets are created, used, and challenged. He works closely with clients to develop preventative strategies that reduce litigation exposure while maximizing the commercial value of innovation. His approach combines rigorous legal analysis with practical business judgment, ensuring that legal strategies align with operational realities and budgetary constraints.

Core Services

• ⚖️ Unfair Competition Prevention — Litigation and advisory services under the Korean Unfair Competition Prevention and Trade Secret Protection Act (UCPA), including passing-off actions, trade dress infringement claims, and false advertising disputes
• 📜 Trade Secret Protection and Enforcement — Development of trade secret identification and protection programs, non-disclosure agreement systems, employee exit protocols, and emergency seizure applications under the Korean Civil Execution Act
• 🛡️ IP Litigation and Dispute Resolution — Representation in the Korean Patent Court, district courts, and the Korean Commercial Arbitration Board (KCAB) in matters involving patent infringement, copyright disputes, and design right enforcement
• 💼 Technology Licensing and IP Transactions — Cross-border technology licensing agreement review and negotiation, including FRAND patent licensing, technology transfer approvals, and royalty structuring
• 🧭 IP Due Diligence for M&A and Investment — Comprehensive IP portfolio audits for Korean and cross-border transactions, including freedom-to-operate analysis, ownership verification, and chain-of-title review

Key Consideration for Chinese Clients: Korea's Unfair Competition Prevention Act provides robust protection for trade secrets and confidential business information, including criminal sanctions with penalties of up to 15 years imprisonment for willful misappropriation. Chinese companies operating in Korea or engaging in technology collaboration with Korean partners should implement a written trade secret protection program aligned with Korean legal standards, as courts require evidence of reasonable protective measures to enforce rights under the UCPA.

Industry Sectors Served

• 📦 Semiconductor and Electronics — Trade secret protection for manufacturing processes, chip design confidentiality, and supplier IP agreements
• 🏠 Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals — Patent strategy, clinical data exclusivity, biosimilar regulatory pathways, and research collaboration agreements
• 🔍 Information Technology and Software — Source code protection, SaaS licensing, AI training data rights, and software copyright registration
• 🔒 Automotive and Advanced Manufacturing — Design right enforcement, supply chain IP protection, and joint development agreements

International Coordination

Mr. Choi maintains an active network of IP counsel across China, Japan, and the United States, enabling efficient multi-jurisdictional enforcement strategies. He has particular experience assisting Chinese technology enterprises entering the Korean market with IP portfolio structuring, Korean Patent Office (KIPO) examination strategies, and pre-litigation dispute assessment. His bilingual proficiency in Korean and English facilitates seamless communication between international clients and Korean legal institutions.

Client Approach and Engagement Model

Mr. Choi tailors his representation to the specific needs of each client, recognizing that a multinational technology corporation requires different IP strategies than a mid-sized manufacturing enterprise. He begins each engagement with a thorough assessment of the client's existing IP protections, contractual arrangements, and exposure to unfair competition risks. This assessment forms the foundation for a customized enforcement and compliance program that addresses the client's specific competitive environment and business objectives.

For Chinese companies operating in Korea or collaborating with Korean technology partners, Mr. Choi provides particular expertise in structuring technology transfer agreements that comply with Korea's revised Industrial Technology Outflow Prevention Act, which imposes government approval requirements for the transfer of designated national core technologies. He also advises on the interface between Korean trade secret law and China's Anti-Unfair Competition Law, helping clients develop cross-border protection strategies that satisfy the legal requirements of both jurisdictions simultaneously.

Strategic Advantage for International Clients

Mr. Choi offers particular value for multinational clients who need coordinated IP enforcement across Korea and neighboring jurisdictions. His fluency in cross-border IP strategy, combined with established relationships with IP counsel in China, Japan, and the United States, enables efficient management of multi-jurisdictional disputes and transactional projects. He regularly coordinates coordinated enforcement campaigns where the same infringing activity affects IP rights in multiple Asian markets simultaneously.

His practice includes advising clients on the strategic use of Korea's specialized IP court system, including the Patent Court of Korea which handles appeals from the Korean Intellectual Property Office trial board and has developed substantial expertise in patent validity and scope disputes. For Chinese technology enterprises, he also provides specialized counsel on the Korea-specific aspects of standard essential patent licensing, including the Korea Fair Trade Commission's guidelines on FRAND commitments and the procedures for seeking injunctive relief for SEP infringement in Korean courts.