Held on July 23, 2026, at the Intellectual Property High Court of Korea in Daejeon, the 2026 International Summer Seminar organized by the International IP Law Research Center equipped KDIS students with insights about global intellectual property (IP) litigation, judicial systems, and the importance of IP protection in fostering innovation. Bringing together legal experts from South Korea, Europe, and Mongolia, the seminar explored how different jurisdictions address emerging challenges in technology, markets, and IP enforcement.

Chief Judge Han Kyu Hyun during the International Summer Seminar.

In his opening speech, Chief Judge Han Kyu Hyun stated the necessity of studying  litigation practices globally and  advancing international cooperation in the sphere of intellectual property. He underlined the growing international reputation of Korea in the area of IP litigation and the need to create judicial institutions capable of meeting fast-growing technological needs while maintaining fairness, accessibility, and building public trust.

Professor Tochtermann during his session on global IP litigation practices.

The first session, titled “Recent Decisions of the Unified Patent Court on Key Issues and Trends in Practice,” featured Professor Peter Tochtermann, Presiding Judge at the Local Division Mannheim and a member of the Presidium of the Unified Patent Court (UPC). The UPC is a specialized pan-European court system responsible for handling litigation involving Unitary Patents and European patents. Professor Tochtermann presented the recent rulings of the Unified Patent Court discussing the issues of patent disputes including the main points of FRAND (Fair, Reasonable, and Non-Discriminatory) and when it is effective to use it.

Through discussions of real-life cases, including InterDigital v. Amazon, participants gained insight into how courts evaluate complex patent disputes involving rapidly evolving technologies and global markets. Sharing important court rulings and practices with the outside world helped specialized courts become more transparent, take part in the knowledge exchange process, and develop global IP governance.

For KDIS students, the seminar provided an opportunity to connect academic knowledge with actual judicial practices. Juan Felipe Caceres Delgado (MDP, Colombia), shared that before the visit, he understood intellectual property rights in general terms considering such important parts of it as patents, trademarks, and protections of creative works. 

“Visiting the Intellectual Property Court helped me understand that IP is much more than just legal protection; it plays an important role in innovation, business, and economic development,” he said. He added that observing how specialized judges analyze highly technical cases demonstrated the complexity of IP disputes and the expertise required to reach fair decisions.

Karimova Turkan (MIPD, Azerbaijan) also emphasized the value of experiencing the court firsthand. “Visiting an institution like the IP High Court of Korea in person helps bridge the gap between theory and practice,” she explained. She noted that observing the interaction among judges, lawyers, technical examiners, and other stakeholders provided deeper insight into Korea’s approach to IP protection and innovation policy.

Director Erdenechimeg shares insights on Mongolia’s intellectual property judicial system.

The second session, “Judicial System & Current Status of IP Trials in Mongolia, and International Exchanges of the IP High Court of Korea,” featured a special lecture by Director Dashpuntsag Erdenechimeg, currently a Visiting Researcher from the Judicial Training, Research and Information Academy of Mongolia. The session examined Mongolia’s intellectual property system, including the adjudication of international property disputes and opportunities for learning from Korea’s judicial experience.

The session highlighted South Korea’s IP system as a comparative model, particularly its highly specialized adjudication framework and experience in addressing complex issues related to valuation, jurisdiction, and enforcement. Discussions emphasized that while both Mongolia and Korea have established administrative foundations for IP protection, further development requires stronger judicial specialization, technical tools, and capacity-building initiatives. 

The seminar also demonstrated that intellectual property is relevant beyond legal fields and has important implications for public policy and governance. Hanif Wulandari (MPM, Indonesia), attended the seminar out of curiosity and a desire to learn something new. Although the topics were somewhat complex, she already understood their significance. “Intellectual property is closely connected to all of us, regardless of our field,” she shared. As a student of public management, she believes that a basic understanding of IP will help her better understand the policy challenges that come with technological development.

For Zarina abd Kadir (MIPD, Malaysia), the seminar offered valuable perspectives on the enforcement side of intellectual property. “As I am not an IP lawyer, I was keen to know how the enforcement side of IP is being handled, especially in Korea,” she said. She appreciated learning about the court’s infrastructure, judges, lawyers, international partnerships, and training programs. 

Judge Young Gi Kim, High Court Judge at the Intellectual Property High Court of Korea, introduces students to the court’s daily operations and work environment.

The 2026 International Summer Seminar highlighted the growing importance of intellectual property in defining the future of technology, innovation, and development. Through discourse with experts from various countries and first-hand experiences with Korea’s IP courts, KDIS students gained new perspectives on how institutions can adapt to emerging challenges and contribute to a more connected and innovative world.