This Year's Administrative Investigations on Technology Theft Conclude Within an Average of 5 Months

Large, Medium, and Small Enterprise Technology Disputes Shift Toward 'Win-Win' Cooperation

#.In April this year, during the administrative investigation process of a technology dispute between startup Company A and a large corporation, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) hosted more than 10 practical consultations. As a result of coordinating the positions of both parties, an agreement was reached on joint technology development and mutual dismissal of four legal lawsuits and reports. The dispute was resolved within five months.

#.In August, during the administrative investigation process related to exhibition planning technology between SME Company B and a large corporation, the MSS confirmed the willingness of both parties to reach an agreement and coordinated their positions through four practical consultations. The parties agreed on matters including investment in exhibition planning for Company B.

On the 26th, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced that it is accelerating the activation of mediation systems to promptly conclude technology disputes between large corporations and SMEs and to transition to a win-win relationship. Technology theft administrative investigation reports received this year were concluded within an average of five months, and during the mediation process, successes were achieved in expanding SME business through large corporation investments and technology collaboration.

Recently, technology disputes between large corporations seeking to expand new businesses and SMEs and startups possessing innovative technologies have been increasing. The proportion of startups applying for administrative investigations and dispute mediation was 35% last year but increased to 46% as of November this year. Companies have faced difficulties due to the time and cost burdens involved in resolving technology disputes. If disputes become prolonged, there is a risk of business failure.

To address this, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups explained that it has focused on utilizing the mediation system by assigning experts such as lawyers to SMEs experiencing technology disputes to provide one-on-one legal consulting, and by encouraging parties to participate in mediation alongside administrative investigations upon receipt of infringement reports. Lee Dae-hee, Director of the SME Policy Office at the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, stated, "We will strive to activate the mediation system so that disputes between large corporations and innovative companies can be resolved through reconciliation and cooperation."