Copyright Act (Jeojakgwonbeop)
The Copyright Act (Jeojakgwonbeop) governs the protection of copyright and related rights in South Korea. Originally enacted in 1957, the Act has been extensively amended to implement international treaties and address digital technology. The Act provides protection for original literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works, as well as phonograms, broadcasts, and performances. Copyright protection generally lasts for the life of the author plus 70 years.
Legal area: Law governing patents, copyrights, trademarks, and other intellectual creations.
Year enacted: 1957
Full text: https://elaw.klri.re.kr/eng_service/law_view.do?hseq=south-korea-copyright-act
Key Provisions
- Chapter I: General provisions (definitions, protected works)
- Chapter II: Authors’ rights (moral and economic rights)
- Chapter III: Copyright (scope, limitation, duration)
- Chapter IV: Neighbouring rights (performers, phonogram producers)
- Chapter V: Copyright registration and management
- Chapter VI: Limitations and exceptions (private use, education)
- Chapter VII: Infringement and remedies
Significance
The Copyright Act has been amended repeatedly to keep pace with technological change. South Korea has one of the most developed copyright frameworks in Asia, with strong enforcement mechanisms. The Act has been updated to address digital content, internet service provider liability, and peer-to-peer file sharing. South Korea’s copyright term was extended to life plus 70 years through the Korea-US Free Trade Agreement. The Act balances copyright protection with exceptions for education and access to knowledge.