‐ ‘Virtual Workshop on Copyright System of the Republic of Korea’ was held

in collaboration with WIPO from May 25 to 27, 2021 ‐

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST, Minister Hwang Hee) of the Republic of Korea and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO, Director General Daren Tang), together with the Korea Copyright Commission (Chairman Choi ByungGoo) and the Korea Copyright Protection Agency (President Park Joo Hwan), held “2021 Virtual Workshop on Copyright System in Support of Creative Start‐up Companies: Practice and Experience of the Republic of Korea” from May 25 to 27, 2021 and shared Korea’s copyright system and related experiences with 28 countries around the world.

The MCST has been promoting international cooperation in various areas, such as copyright development, building respect for intellectual property (IP), and promotion of alternative dispute resolution services, particularly through the Korea Funds‐in‐Trust established at WIPO. As part of cooperative projects in the copyright development sector, the 14th Workshop on the Copyright System of the Republic of Korea was implemented to support the development of copyright systems in partner developing countries and the strengthening of related capabilities.

The Workshop themed ‘Copyright System to Support Small‐ and Medium‐sized Content Enterprises’ was joined by around 100 copyright policy officials and representatives of private companies from 28 countries

For the first time this year, the Workshop was held online, instead of inviting participants to Korea. In light of the demand from participating countries, the specific topic of the Workshop was selected as the “Copyright System to Support Small‐ and Medium‐sized Content Enterprises.”

In consideration of the time differences of participating countries, the sessions of the Workshop were divided into the Asia‐Pacific region on the first day (May 25), Africa and the Arab region on the second day (May 26), and Latin America and the Caribbean region on the third day (May 27). Around 100 copyright policy officials and private companies’ representatives from 28 countries, such as 7 countries in the Asia‐Pacific region, 9 countries in Africa and the Arab region, and 12 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean region, participated in the Workshop. Participating countries also presented their experiences and recent developments in the field of copyright.

The detailed topics included ▲ copyright for small‐ and medium‐sized content enterprises (WIPO), ▲ Korea’s copyright system and recent policy developments (MCST), ▲ copyright service in support of small‐ and medium‐sized content enterprises (Korea Copyright Commission)*, ▲ copyright protection and dispute prevention for small‐ and medium‐sized content enterprises (Korea Copyright Protection Agency)**, ▲ success stories of Korean private companies (Dexter Studios, Arimoa), ▲ status and experience of participating countries (Philippines, Thailand, China, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Guatemala, Brazil, Trinidad and Tobago, etc., followed by a Q&A session and general discussion.
  * Software management system consulting, copyright industry service (education, consultation, legal advice), etc. (from 2014)
 ** The ‘Copyright Protection and Use Right’ project to help resolve local disputes (from 2021), etc.

Considering the infrastructure condition of participating countries and for reliable operation of the Workshop, the presentations of speakers from Korea were recorded in advance and were subsequently shared with the participants in real time. Additionally, an online workshop platform was established to help the participants access the relevant materials more conveniently for about one month after the Workshop ended.

In her opening remarks, Ms. Young Jin Choi, Director of the Cultural Trade and Cooperation Division at the MCST, emphasized the significance of copyright as a driving force for growth and innovation in our society as well as the importance of small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) and start‐ups, and expressed expectations for international cooperation in the copyright and content sector.

Ms. Gao Hang, Director of the Copyright Development Division at WIPO, talked about the development potential of SMEs using copyright and related rights, and how they could drive social and economic growth. Additionally, an official of WIPO said that, according to the World Bank, “small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises” account for about 90% of companies worldwide and account for more than 50% of employment.

The MCST, the Korea Copyright Commission, and the Korea Copyright Protection Agency introduced Korea’s copyright system and support system for small and medium content enterprises, while domestic private companies shared their successful cases of using intellectual property, especially copyright.

A participant from Thailand said that he wanted to know about Korea’s remedy system for copyright infringement and that the presentation delivered by the Korea Copyright Protection Agency was very helpful. For a participant from Latin America who wanted to know more about the roles and activities of collective management organizations in Korea, the MCST promised to provide additional information. In addition, the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP), which is collaborating with the MCST in the copyright sector, shared its experiences and success stories during this Workshop.

A policy official of the MCST said, “We are pleased to co‐host this Workshop with WIPO for our partner developing countries, in collaboration with related organizations and private companies in Korea. Based on Korea’s copyright system and related experiences, we are happy to support copyright policies and the growth of content SMEs in developing countries. We also hope to further strengthen international cooperation in the field of copyright.”

Should you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact
Ms. Sunkee Kim, Deputy Director, Cultural Trade and Cooperation Division
(tel: +82‐44‐203‐2488); and Ms. Ji‐In Lee, Policy Specialist, Cultural Trade and Cooperation Division of the MCST (tel: +82‐44‐203‐2590).

Attachment
1. Detailed schedule of ‘Virtual Workshop on Copyright System of Korea’
2. Photos of ‘Virtual Workshop on Copyright System of Korea’