Online counterfeit product distribution, joint public-private monitoring until the end of the year

Rapid detection using AI, blocking sales after trademark holder appraisal

(Daejeon = Yonhap News) Reporter Kim Jun-ho = The Ministry of Intellectual Property announced on the 11th that it will conduct joint public-private online monitoring with trademark holders and online platform companies until the end of the year.

From the 12th to the 30th, the Ministry of Intellectual Property will intensively monitor counterfeit products distributed on 15 online platforms, including open markets and social networking services (SNS), targeting 35 brands of cosmetics, health functional foods, baby and children's products, and cleaning products.

Using artificial intelligence (AI), we find postings selling suspected counterfeit products, and if necessary, purchase the product directly, have the trademark holder appraise the product as genuine or counterfeit, and block sales if it is confirmed to be a counterfeit product.

The plan is to combine AI detection with the expertise of trademark owners to identify counterfeit products more accurately and quickly.

From November to the end of the year, a continuous monitoring system is operated in accordance with the peak overseas direct purchasing season such as Black Friday and Boxing Day.

The Korea Intellectual Property Protection Agency's at-home monitoring team (85 people) and professional personnel will be deployed along with AI monitoring for clothing, fashion accessories, and shoes, which are in high demand for overseas direct purchase at the end of the year, and will also operate on holidays and at night during large discount events.

Information on detected counterfeit products will be shared with relevant agencies such as the Korea Customs Service and the Korea Communications Standards Commission and trademark rights holders to prevent inflow into the country at the customs clearance stage and even block access to sites selling counterfeit products.

Park Jin-hwan, Director of the Intellectual Property Dispute Response Department, said, "As the methods of producing and distributing counterfeit products become more sophisticated, it is important to closely link the detection, identification, and blocking capabilities of the government and the private sector. We will quickly find and block counterfeit products that threaten the health and safety of consumers."