부정경쟁방지 및 영업비밀보호에 관한 법률상 희석화에 대한 연구

Abstract

The amendment of the Unfair Competition and Business Secret Protection Act

(the Act) determined dilution of marks in 2001 to strengthen the right of

well-known mark owners. According to article 2(1)(c) of the Act, an act, other

than one causing a likelihood of confusion, that causes injury to the

distinctiveness or reputation of another person's mark widely known in Korea by

using a mark that is identical or similar to such mark, shall be treated as an act

of unfair competition unless such act is non-commercial or otherwise authorized

under a presidential decree. This article shall cover issues related to dilution.

Dilution was initially designed to protect prominent marks, as opposed to all

marks. However, the description widely known is ambiguous in that it cannot

be determined whether it can be construed as equal to well known, or even

further known than well known. But to the extent that the concept of dilution

was originally designed to protect well-known marks, it would be prudent to

interpret the concept of dilution being introduced in our nation as literally as

possible.

While according to precedent, dilution is sorted between blurring and

tarnishment, the law states that damage to the distinctiveness and reputation of

the party's mark, there remains the question of damage to the distinctiveness.

Even though dilution's basic system is based on blurring or tarnishment, to the