"If Lost Overseas, It's Over"... Up to 15 Million Won for K-Content Copyright Protection

Ministry of Culture and Copyright Commission Offer Customized Support by Export Stage
Zero Self-Payment for Early-Stage Companies
Top Performers Receive Additional Incentives and Intensive Nurturing
Beyond Simple Funding: Providing a Legal

Exterior view of the Korea Copyright Commission

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Copyright Commission announced on February 3 that they are recruiting companies to participate in the "Overseas Copyright Registration and Application Support Program" to protect the intellectual property (IP) of K-content companies. The program aims to prevent frequent unauthorized use when expanding overseas and to help companies secure exclusive rights in local markets.

This year, approximately 170 companies will be selected. The program targets small and medium-sized enterprises in eight sectors, including webtoons, games, and broadcasting, with varying levels of support based on their export capabilities.

"Early-stage companies" that are just beginning to expand overseas can choose the "Basic Type" option, which provides full support of 5 million won without any self-payment. "Growth-stage companies" that have already established export channels are better suited for the "Expanded Type." By contributing 1.2 million won themselves, they can receive up to 10 million won in support. Among these, 23 companies (outstanding and promising) with excellent results will receive an additional incentive of 5 million won, for a maximum total of 15 million won.

The core of the support lies in expertise rather than simply covering costs. Selected companies will have complex application procedures handled by professional patent law firms. Even if the local patent office rejects registration during the review process, legal expenses for challenging the decision will be reimbursed. The intention is to address the blind spots of small and medium-sized enterprises that lack in-house legal teams.

Interested companies can apply through the commission’s support system by February 28. Seventy percent of the participants will be selected in the first round, and companies that are not selected can reapply in the second round in the second half of the year.