Key Crackdown Cases of IPR Violators
By Hedo JUNG, Prosecutor, 6th Criminal Department, Seoul District Prosecutor's Office
Large Scale Violators of the Trademarks Act Exposed, Arrested and Prosecuted in 2007. The Seoul District Prosecutors Office conducted a crackdown, in which a trademark violator, who had used the names of employees to sell dozens of counterfeit items, such as apparels, bags, wallets, etc. of famous brands such as "Chanel", "Gucci", "Louis Vuitton", and others. worth around 12.6 billion won (actual sales price)
was arrested and prosecuted.
In line with the US-Korea Free Trade Agreement on IPR, the Seoul District Prosecutors Office focused their efforts on exposing and prosecuting companies using copied programs in June 2007. Search warrants were issued, and crackdowns implemented for 30 companies within the jurisdiction of the Seoul District Prosecutor's Office regarding their use of copied computer programs. 28 out of the 30 were found to be using copied programs. Prosecutor Jung stated that the Seoul District Prosecutors Office will continue to direct crackdowns on key violators, including key violators of trademark infringements that operate underground in areas such as Itaewon, Namdaemun Market, Dongdaemun Market in Seoul.
¡°We plan to encourage and thoroughly direct policy investigations on violators of trademark infringements and various IPR infringements that operate in Itaewon, Seoul and other areas in order to implement effective crackdowns.¡±
The role of the public prosecutor under the criminal justices system of Korea may be categorized into three field: investigation, prosecution and other related activities to prove the crime, and execution of sentence.
Additionally as the representatives of public interests, they also perform various duties including the roles of human rights protector in the criminal proceedings and that of state counsel in protecting the properties and right of the public. (Source: Supreme Prosecutors Office)
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For more information on this report contact the EUCCK IPR Committee:
Tel: +822-725-9126
Fax: +822-725-9886
Email: eucsc@eucck.org
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