Lee International

Design Protection Act was amended to broaden the protection for new types of screen image designs utilizing digital technologies which consist of visually perceived shape, color and arrangement thereof, such as Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs), Graphical Icons, Graphic Images, etc.

Under the pre-amended Design Protection Act, it was not possible to protect the screen image design per se, such as a computer-generated screen image design projected on external surface as shown below examples. However, with the amendment, a new provision was added to protect the screen image design per se and to specifically define to protect online transmission of a screen image design as well as offline transactions.

With the implementation of the amended Design Act, new types of screen image designs for virtual keyboards, smart bracelets, piano keyboards displayed in space and headlights of intelligent vehicles, etc., will be protected in Korea. This amendment will go into effect as of October 21, 2021.