Yun J. Kim

/My focus

I have extensive experience working across both public and private sectors and serve as a trusted advisor for clients based in Korea who are seeking to enter the US market. I have a deep understanding of the interdisciplinary legal needs of Korean businesses and bring more than a decade of experience handling IP portfolio management and litigation. I was recently recognized by the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) after receiving the President’s Commendation Award and the Korean Customs Commissioner’s Commendation Award.

Prior to joining Nixon Peabody, I served as general counsel of the KOTRA’s Los Angeles office and oversaw the launch of the Korea Intellectual Property Protection Agency (KOIPA) North America.

In these roles, I partnered with Korean and US law firms for IP matters, advising on IP-related lawsuits, contracts, and customs issues for Korean businesses.

Outside Counsel Services

The Korean government offers several subsidy programs that provide financial, legal, and operational support to Korean individuals and organizations seeking to protect their intellectual property rights and drive the growth and development of Korea’s creative economy.

I advise these programs and their participants, often connecting them to Nixon Peabody’s deep bench of attorneys, particularly regarding intellectual property, labor and employment, and corporate matters. As a trusted advisor, I am deeply invested in each client’s business and seek to build lasting relationships to help them gain a competitive advantage and grow their footprint in new markets.

These initiatives include:

• Korea Intellectual Property Protection Agency (KOIPA) IP Subsidy Program: KOIPA focuses on safeguarding intellectual property rights and combating infringement within various sectors. The agency provides comprehensive services, including anti-counterfeiting measures, intellectual property rights education, and support for trade secrets. Nixon Peabody is now part of KOIPA’s attorney panel, assisting companies with IP matters as they expand into international markets.
• LA and NY aT Center Subsidy Program: The aT Center, or the Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation, is a government-affiliated organization in South Korea. It was established to promote and support the country’s agricultural, fisheries, and food industries on both domestic and international fronts. The center plays a key role in helping Korean agricultural and food companies expand globally by providing services like export support, marketing, and business consulting.
• Korea Copyright Protection Agency (KCOPA) Subsidy Program: KCOPA has established a foreign language infringement information collection system that can detect and automatically monitor copyrighted works illegally distributed overseas in languages that include English and Chinese. Nixon Peabody is the second US law firm to join this panel.
• Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA) Attorney Panel: KOCCA supports production, planning, creation, distribution, overseas expansion, business growth, training, R&D, policy financing, and policy study of many different genres, including broadcasting, video game, music, fashion, animation, character, comics, IP, and new technology convergence content. Nixon Peabody joined KOCCA's attorney panel to provide legal support for Korean creative content companies.
• Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) Attorney Panel: KOTRA is the national organization responsible for promoting trade and investment under the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy of the Republic of Korea (South Korea). Since its establishment in 1962, KOTRA has supported the global business expansion of Korean companies and facilitated the attraction of foreign investment in Korea. Nixon Peabody is now part of KOTRA’s attorney panel, assisting companies with legal matters as they expand into international markets.

/Looking ahead

Gradually securing necessary intellectual property rights from the outset can yield significant benefits. This systematic acquisition of IP will serve as the cornerstone in inevitable IP disputes. In the event of a dispute, we will provide tailored solutions for companies and work closely with our clients to determine the most effective and efficient resolution.

/Insights

Presentations

• “US Trademark Acquisition Strategy and Amazon Brand Registry,” LA Consulate, KOIPA North America IP Center and Amazon, Webinar, July 23, 2024
• “2024 Kyeonggi Stars,” Gyeonggi Provincial Government and the Gyeonggi Business & Science Accelerator, Los Angeles, August 2, 2024
• “IP Considerations for CES Participants,” City of Incheon, November 24, 2024
• “Fair Use Defense: Expanding K-Content to the US,” KOCCA, November 4, 2024
• “Must-Know US IP Strategies for food companies: Trademarks and Trade Dress,” aT Center, September 18, 2024
• “US IP Strategy,” Korea Small and Medium Business Administration, August 28, 2024
• “Strategies for Securing US Trademarks and Amazon Brand Registry,” LA Consulate of the Republic of Korea, KOIPA N.A., and Amazon, July 23, 2024