Lee International

Trusted Partner for Your Global IP Needs

Lee International is one of the most established and internationally recognised intellectual property law firms in Korea. Since our founding in 1961, we have built a strong reputation for delivering end-to-end IP services—spanning prosecution, litigation, enforcement, and transactions—with strategic insight and technical excellence.

Our key strengths include:

Deep Bench of Technical Experts
Our team comprises patent attorneys, former KIPO (Korean Intellectual Property Office) examiners, litigators, and in-house technical specialists with advanced degrees and industry backgrounds in engineering, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and industrial design.

Integrated Services Across the Full IP Lifecycle
From patent and trademark filing to portfolio management, dispute resolution, and cross-border brand protection, we provide tailored solutions throughout the entire IP value chain.

Global Client Focus
We represent Fortune 500 companies, innovative startups, and leading multinational brands. Our team is particularly experienced in handling complex, cross-jurisdictional matters and ensuring seamless coordination for clients with business interests in Korea and abroad.

Cost-Efficient, High-Quality Outcomes
Clients consistently rely on our ability to deliver business-driven results that are both practical and cost-effective, without compromising on legal or technical quality.

Proactive Monitoring and Enforcement
Leveraging in-house monitoring systems and our expertise in Korea’s Unfair Competition Prevention Act (UCPA), we identify and address potential infringement across sectors—including digital, e-commerce, and social media platforms—before they escalate.

At Lee International, we go beyond traditional IP representation. We are committed to enhancing the long-term value of our clients' intellectual property assets and empowering their growth through strategic, forward-thinking legal counsel. Our dedicated IP TechCenters ensure we stay at the forefront of innovation across sectors such as semiconductors, life sciences, mobility, and digital technologies..

Key IP Areas
Copyright, Copyright & related rights, Designs, Intellectual property, Intellectual property (contentious), Intellectual property (prosecution), IP transactions, ITC litigation, Life sciences IP, Patent, Patent (contentious), Patent (prosecution), PTAB litigation, Trade mark, Trade mark (contentious), Trade mark (prosecution)

Key Sector Expertise
Agriculture, Arts, Biotechnology, Chemical, Computer technology & services, Construction and materials, Electrical, Electronics, Energy, Film, Food and beverage, Healthcare, Industrials, Life sciences, Manufacturing, Mechanical, Media, Medical device, Oil and gas, Pharmaceutical, Publishing, Real estate, Robotics, Semiconductors, Sports, Telecommunication, Tobacco, Utilities

Meet the team

Managing partner biography

Matters & news

Alerts

• Terry Taehong KIM, Patent, thkim@leeinternational.com, Acting for a globally recognised beverage company, we conducted regular trademark monitoring and successfully blocked multiple trademark filings that incorporated misleadingly similar elements to our client’s brand name. Through usage investigations, we supported third-party observations and oppositions that ultimately prevented registration of the infringing marks.
• Hee-Won SEO, Trade mark, hwseo@leeinternational.com, Acting for a globally recognised beverage company, we conducted regular trademark monitoring and successfully blocked multiple trademark filings that incorporated misleadingly similar elements to our client’s brand name. Through usage investigations, we supported third-party observations and oppositions that ultimately prevented registration of the infringing marks.
  On behalf of a global fashion brand, we discovered a third-party bakery using a red-box logo and attempting to register a mark closely resembling our client’s distinctive brand name. Although our client does not operate in the food sector, we issued a warning based on potential unfair competition, which led to the withdrawal of the application and cessation of use.
• Yoon Suk SHIN, yshin@leeinternational.com, We advised a global generics pharmaceutical company on patent filing strategies and prosecution in Korea also supported a greenlist.
  In the area of advanced materials, we represented Japanese companies in invalidation proceedings before the Korean Intellectual Property Trial and Appeal Board (IPTAB) involving patents related to phosphor protection films, wavelength conversion sheets, adhesive films, and dicing/die bonding films—core components in display and semiconductor applications. Our work included legal and technical analysis of claim scope and prior art to support the clients’ strategic objectives.