#Kolmar Korea #UV Technology #Intercos Korea

Kolmar Korea's Legal Triumph

In a landmark ruling, Kolmar Korea has achieved a decisive legal victory against Intercos Korea, concerning the illegal theft of patented sun care technologies. This protracted legal battle, which has captivated the South Korean cosmetics industry, highlights the stringent protection of intellectual property rights within the sector.

Background of the Case

The conflict began when a former Kolmar employee, referred to as Employee A, transitioned to Intercos Korea in 2018 after nearly a decade at Kolmar. Upon his departure, it was discovered that he had illicitly taken several key research and development materials, which included proprietary data related to sunscreen compositions. Subsequent investigations revealed that another former employee, Employee B, was also complicit in this breach. Both individuals were found guilty by the Supreme Court of Korea in January 2024, which laid bare the legal ramifications of their actions.

In October 2024, a district court in Suwon ruled against Intercos Korea, confirming that the company had violated laws concerning unfair competition and the protection of trade secrets. The court imposed a fine of 5 million KRW, further establishing the seriousness of their misconduct.

Legal Consequences and Responsibilities

Following these judgments, Kolmar was awarded a total of 31.2 million KRW from Intercos Korea and the former employees to cover all legal expenses incurred during the proceedings. This reinforces a significant precedent regarding corporate accountability and the necessity for strict adherence to intellectual property laws in the business landscape.

A spokesperson for Kolmar remarked, "This ruling exemplifies our unwavering commitment to holding technology leaks accountable until the very end. We will continue to take all necessary measures to protect our vital technologies and research and development assets."

Kolmar Korea’s Commitment to Innovation

Kolmar Korea is widely recognized for its world-class research and development capabilities in the field of sun care products. In 2022, the company established a specialized research organization known as the UV Tech Innovation Lab. Currently, they hold over 100 patents related to UV protection technologies.

Notably, Kolmar developed the world’s first stabilization technology for a hybrid composite sunscreen that combines mineral and chemical UV filters. Since becoming the first company in Korea to obtain FDA OTC certification for sunscreens in the U.S. in 2013, Kolmar has continually pushed the envelope in the global sunscreen market.

Moving forward, Kolmar Korea is poised to not only strengthen its legal recourse framework against technology theft but also enhance its position as an industry leader through ongoing innovation and dedication to product development.