To protect the K-beauty industry from so-called knockoffs, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, the Intellectual Property Office, and the Korea Customs Service have rolled up their sleeves.
On the 12th, the three agencies held an interagency briefing called "Interagency Briefing on Counterfeit Cosmetics Response" at Nuri Dream Square in Mapo-gu, Seoul, where they outlined each agency’s policy direction and support programs.
The briefing was set up to safeguard the intellectual property behind K-beauty—now a global craze—and to prevent the damage counterfeit cosmetics cause to both businesses and consumers.
Of the $9.7 billion in counterfeit goods that infringe on Korean companies’ IP, roughly 10%—about $970 million (₩1,293,333,333,333)—is estimated to come from cosmetics.
In response, the MFDS has put in place clear legal authority for post-market action: punishing sellers and ordering product recalls and destructions when counterfeit cosmetics are found.
The agency also said it has established and is operating a reporting center at the Korea Cosmetic Association so industry players can tip off authorities about counterfeit distribution.
The Intellectual Property Office walked attendees through real-world cosmetic infringement cases, emphasized the importance of trademark and design rights, and shared strategies for responding to violations and trends in overseas patent disputes.
The Korea Customs Service explained how customs authorities in major export markets can register trademarks and other IP to protect K-beauty brands.
They also plan to build a joint enforcement network that leverages global partnerships with overseas enforcement agencies to stop K-brand counterfeits from being made, distributed, or traded across borders.
