<기사제목>Ministry of SMEs and Startups Supports Reasonable Damage Assessment for Technology Infringement Victims

Up to 90% Government Support for Costs Required to Calculate Damage Amount

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups supports small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that have suffered from technology infringement.

On the 3rd, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced that it will support up to 90% of the costs required to calculate damages so that SMEs affected by technology infringement can receive reasonable compensation amounts recognized by the court.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The damage calculation support project involves collaboration between external experts such as the Korea Technology Finance Corporation, a technology evaluation agency, lawyers, and accountants to accurately calculate the amount of damage when an SME suffers technology infringement.

Until last year, the support was limited to companies involved in ongoing litigation or participating in mediation/arbitration, but from this year, it has been expanded to companies preparing for litigation (companies that have hired lawyers or are consulting the Ministry of SMEs and Startups Legal Support Group for litigation purposes) and companies undergoing administrative investigation procedures. In addition, lawyers representing technology infringement victim companies in lawsuits can also apply for support directly.

Previously, the government subsidy rate was low at 50%, resulting in a high self-payment burden for companies. However, going forward, innovative companies such as venture and Inno-Biz companies, government R&D participating companies, startups, small enterprises and small merchants, and companies with decreased sales will receive preferential subsidy rates of up to 90%.

In particular, if the court confirms the company as a victim?such as in cases where a provisional injunction against infringement is granted, a petition for invalidation of registration related to infringement is dismissed, a confirmation trial on the scope of rights is won, or infringement is recognized in the reasoning of a damage compensation lawsuit judgment?the full amount will be supported.

Kim Woo-soon, Director of Technology Innovation Policy at the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, stated, "Through the improved damage calculation support this year, we hope to create a fair ecosystem where innovative startup companies and small enterprises and small merchants can be adequately compensated for damages caused by technology infringement."