Implementation of the 'Ex Officio Adjustment Decision' System for Unresolved Copyright Disputes

Increased Expectations for Resolving Small Claims and Similar Cases

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] The Korea Copyright Commission announced that it will implement the ex officio adjustment decision system in accordance with the amended Copyright Act, which takes effect on the 5th. The ex officio adjustment decision system is a system where the adjustment committee makes a decision ex officio in cases where the parties applying for adjustment fail to reach an agreement.

The cases subject to ex officio adjustment by the Copyright Commission are small claims under 10 million KRW or cases where a party unreasonably rejects the adjustment proposal of the adjustment committee. The adjustment committee, composed of three or more members, makes the decision.

When an ex officio adjustment decision is finalized, it has the effect of a judicial reconciliation, thereby ending the dispute. However, if either party applying for adjustment files an objection to the ex officio adjustment decision, the committee's decision loses its effect.

Parties wishing to file an objection to the ex officio adjustment decision must submit an objection letter to the adjustment committee within 14 days from the date of receipt of the official decision document.

Since 1988, a total of 2,216 cases have been applied for adjustment by the Copyright Commission, with about 49% being settled. Lim Won-seon, Chairman of the Copyright Commission, said, "Most of the adjustments applied to the commission are minor cases," and added, "We expect that the ex officio adjustment decision system to be implemented this time will greatly contribute to resolving dispute cases."

Applications for copyright adjustment can be made to the Commission's Adjustment and Appraisal Team, and other copyright-related consultations can be directed to the Copyright Consultation Center.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.