"Zero Tolerance for Design Copying"... Coway to Launch Design Monitoring Task Force

"Establishing a Fair Competitive Order"

Coway announced on January 20 that it will establish a "Design Monitoring Task Force (TF)" to protect its design intellectual property (IP), which is a core corporate asset.

Coway explained that as product design has recently emerged as a key asset for brand competitiveness and controversies over similar designs have repeatedly arisen in the market, the company plans to launch a new TF to respond at the organizational level. The TF is scheduled to be officially launched and begin full-scale activities within the first quarter of this year.

Coway CI. Coway

The TF will operate as a company-wide collaborative organization under the direct supervision of the CEO, comprising experts in IP, legal affairs, product planning, design, R&D, and public relations. Its responsibilities will include: continuous monitoring of domestic and international competitors' products and market trends; rapid analysis of suspected cases of similar designs; refining criteria for determining IP infringement; and implementing step-by-step responses, including legal action if infringement is confirmed. The company aims to proactively prevent the occurrence of similar designs and will respond strictly to any infringement of brand assets in accordance with a "zero-tolerance policy."

A Coway representative stated, "Coway's unique designs are a core asset that embodies customer trust and brand identity. We will respond firmly to design copying according to our principles, and take the lead in establishing a fair competitive order in the market."