#South Korea #Seoul #Kolmar Korea #Intercos Korea #sunscreen technology

Kolmar Korea's Landmark Legal Win against Intercos Korea

In a notable turn of events in the world of cosmetic technology, Kolmar Korea has secured a major legal victory over Intercos Korea, a subsidiary of the Italian cosmetic giant Intercos. This victory, announced on February 9, 2026, concludes a protracted legal battle centered around the unauthorized leakage of proprietary sunscreen technology, underscoring the seriousness of intellectual property theft within the industry.

The Korean Supreme Court confirmed the charges against Intercos Korea, obliging them not only to cease their illicit activities but also to bear full legal costs associated with the lawsuit. Kolmar Korea pursued a total of 31.2 million Korean Won ($27,000 USD) in legal fees arising from the case, showcasing their commitment to protecting their technology and legal rights.

The Origins of the Dispute

The dispute arose in 2018 when a former employee of Kolmar Korea, referred to as A, transitioned to Intercos Korea after a decade of service. Shortly before his departure, he illegitimately removed various key R&D materials, including confidential information regarding patented sunscreen formulations. Investigations later revealed that another ex-employee, referred to as B, who joined Intercos Korea around the same time, also played a role in this breach of trade secrets.

As the legal proceedings unfolded, the Supreme Court of Korea delivered a definitive verdict in January 2024 against the two former employees, reinforcing the legal repercussions for such misconduct. Subsequently, in October 2024, the Suwon District Court ruled against Intercos Korea for violations of anti-competitive practices and trade secret protections, imposing a fine of 5 million Korean Won ($4,500 USD).

Implications of the Ruling

A representative from Kolmar Korea expressed satisfaction with the court's decisions, stating, “This judgment represents a firm application of our principle that technology leaks must be pursued to the fullest extent. We will continue to take all necessary measures to safeguard our core technologies and R&D outcomes.” This sentiment echoes industry-wide concerns regarding the sanctity of research and development efforts in the highly competitive cosmetic sector.

Kolmar Korea is well-known for its innovative research in world-class sun protection technologies. The company established its UV Tech Innovation Lab in 2022, focusing on proprietary advancements and currently holds over 100 patents related to ultraviolet (UV) protection technology.

In 2021, the firm gained recognition for creating the first-ever stabilization technology for hybrid composite sunscreen formulations, blending both mineral and chemical UV filters. Furthermore, Kolmar Korea was the first in South Korea to obtain FDA certification in 2013 for over-the-counter sunscreen products, setting industry standards that reflect their leadership in both technology and regulatory compliance.

Looking Ahead

As the cosmetic industry grapples with the growing challenges of intellectual property theft, Kolmar Korea’s decisive legal victory serves as a critical precedent for enforcing technological protections. The outcome signals a broader commitment among companies to uphold their innovations against unfair competition and reinforces the idea that patent theft will no longer go unpunished.

This landmark case not only protects Kolmar Korea's interests but sets an example that will reverberate throughout the cosmetic and personal care industries, inspiring other companies to act decisively in the face of similar challenges. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, safeguarding intellectual property in such a manner is essential for sustaining innovation and technological progression in an ethically responsible way.