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

Kolmar Korea's Landmark Legal Victory

In a significant ruling that underscores the importance of corporate confidentiality, Kolmar Korea has emerged victorious in its legal battle against Intercos Korea, a leading player in the cosmetic industry. The dispute centered around allegations of the illegal transfer of proprietary sunscreen technologies, which has now been confirmed by the Korean Supreme Court.

The conflict began when a former employee of Kolmar Korea, identified as A, transferred to Intercos Korea in 2018 after working with Kolmar for nearly a decade. During this transition, A unlawfully took crucial research and development documents, including proprietary sunscreen formulas and new product development information. Investigations later revealed that another former employee, B, who also joined Intercos around the same time, played a part in the unauthorized sharing of these trade secrets.

The Supreme Court of Korea upheld convictions against both employees, validating the serious nature of the offenses committed. Following this, the Suwon District Court ruled in October 2024 that Intercos Korea had violated laws meant to prevent unfair competition and protect trade secrets, leading to a hefty fine of 5 million KRW imposed on the company.

In addition, Kolmar was awarded compensation amounting to 31.2 million KRW for legal costs incurred during the court proceedings, reinforcing the court's acknowledgment of the seriousness of the infringement.

A spokesperson for Kolmar Korea commented on the ruling, stating, “This decision reflects our steadfast commitment to holding accountable those who unlawfully disseminate our core technologies. We will continue to take all necessary steps to protect our essential technologies and research resources.”

Kolmar Korea is widely recognized for its cutting-edge capabilities in sunscreen R&D. In 2022, the company established the UV Tech Innovation Lab, focusing primarily on advanced sun protection technologies, and has secured over 100 patents related to UV protection. Last year, Kolmar made headlines by developing the world's first stabilization technology for a hybrid sunscreen that combines mineral and chemical UV filters.

Additionally, Kolmar Korea is a pioneer in the global sunscreen market, having earned the first OTC certification for sunscreen products from the U.S. FDA in 2013. This legal victory not only strengthens the company's position in the market but also reinforces its reputation as a guardian of proprietary technology within the beauty industry.

Moving forward, Kolmar Korea is committed to enhancing its research capabilities and ensuring that such breaches do not compromise the integrity of its innovations. The company’s successful pursuit of this case is a strong message to all industry players about the critical importance of safeguarding intellectual property and maintaining ethical business practices.