#South Korea #Seoul #sun protection #Kolmar Korea #Intercos Korea

Kolmar Korea's Legal Victory Details

On February 9, 2026, Kolmar Korea announced a decisive win in its ongoing legal feud with Intercos Korea over the unlawful leak of their proprietary sun protection technology. This ruling emphasizes the legal liability associated with the misappropriation of technology, as confirmed by the Supreme Court of Korea.

The origins of this dispute trace back to 2018, when a former employee, referred to as Employee A, transitioned from Kolmar Korea to Intercos Korea. During this transition, Employee A unlawfully transported confidential materials related to foundational research, development data, and proprietary formulas for sunscreen products. Further investigation revealed that another former employee, Employee B, also joined Intercos Korea around the same time and was complicit in leaking trade secrets.

In January 2024, the Supreme Court of Korea ultimately affirmed the accountability of both former employees. Following this, in October 2024, the Suwon District Court found Intercos Korea in violation of the Unfair Competition Prevention and Trade Secret Protection Act, imposing a fine of 5 million KRW.

A spokesperson for Kolmar Korea stated, "This ruling reinforces our steadfast commitment that any leakage of technology carries significant consequences. We will continuously take all necessary actions to safeguard our core technologies and R&D achievements."

Kolmar's Commitment to Innovation

Kolmar Korea is well-regarded for its world-class research and development initiatives, especially in the field of sun protection products. In 2022, the company inaugurated the UV Tech Innovation Lab, which focuses on advancing sun protection technologies. Presently, Kolmar owns over 100 patents related to UV protection technologies, reflecting its commitment to innovation.

Last year, Kolmar Korea pioneered the world's first stabilization technology for hybrid sunscreens that integrate both chemical and mineral UV filters. In its pursuit of innovation, the company became a trailblazer in the international sunscreen market, being the first in Korea to receive FDA certification for over-the-counter sunscreen products back in 2013.

The Broader Implications of the Case

The Kolmar Korea vs. Intercos Korea case signifies a critical moment in protecting intellectual property rights within the cosmetics industry. It serves as a warning to potential infringers regarding the severe legal repercussions of stealing proprietary information.

Furthermore, this victory not only vindicates Kolmar Korea but also sets a precedent in the legal and business community for the ethical handling of confidential technology. Companies in the cosmetics sector and beyond can now look toward this judgment as a benchmark for legal standards in protecting technological innovations.

Moving forward, Kolmar Korea is expected to bolster its efforts in both safeguarding its trade secrets and advancing its cutting-edge technologies in sun protection—cementing its reputation as a leader in the competitive cosmetics industry.