Chapter 182: Myeongshin
Seoul Central District Court, Civil Division 36, Grand Courtroom.
Donghyun Chemical’s CEO, Jang Byung-yoon, sat in the front row, his face stern as he gazed at the courtroom.
“Plaintiff, Donghyun Chemical. Defendant, Ahsung Electronics.”
The clerk’s voice echoed through the courtroom, and Chief Judge Lee Soo-hyuk raised his head.
In one corner of the courtroom sat the legal representatives of Ahsung Electronics—a notorious group of five lawyers from the Ahsung Group’s legal team, which had included former Supreme Court justices and chief prosecutors.
In contrast, Donghyun Chemical was represented by only one lawyer, Kim Jae-sik, from a local law firm.
Their eyes were different from those of the Ahsung Group’s legal team.
The atmosphere was one-sided from the start.
“The plaintiff claims that the patent in question was unfairly filed by the defendant, which constitutes technology leakage and infringement of rights. However…….”
The lead attorney for Ahsung continued.
“This technology was filed solely by the defendant in accordance with the memorandum of understanding specified during the joint research, and Donghyun Chemical has not been able to prove its technical contribution.”
Ahsung’s legal team pressed their case, presenting document after document and emphasizing ‘normal procedures.’
One crucial signature.
A copy of the technology transfer agreement signed by Jang Byung-yoon in the past appeared on the screen.
Donghyun Chemical employees watching the trial could not hide their despair.
“……Was it too much to ask?”
Jang Byung-yoon swallowed hard.
The courtroom lights suddenly seemed brighter, stinging his eyes, and his throat went dry.
“The next piece of evidence is the technology review report provided by the defendant.”
The lead attorney for Ahsung Electronics displayed another document.
On the screen appeared a ‘Technology A Review Report’ written five years ago.
At the top of the document were Ahsung Electronics’ Strategic Planning Office’s official document number, approval history, and a note in bold letters: ‘No technical linkage with Donghyun Chemical.’
“As you can see, the technology is stated to have been independently researched by Ahsung Electronics’ internal R&D organization, and it is clearly recorded as a sole development from the initial stages.”
Chief Judge Lee Soo-hyuk nodded as he scanned the document, and the faces of Donghyun Chemical employees in the audience grew paler.
“……That’s a lie.”
One employee, unable to hold back, shouted loudly, and others chimed in.
“We tested that technology for over two years and obtained the results after hundreds of experiments.”
“There were definitely meeting minutes and emails back then…….”
But somehow, they had vanished without a trace.
A quiet sigh spread through the back of the courtroom.
Bang, bang-!
“Please be quiet. Refrain from speaking as an audience member.”
As the judge intervened, Jang Byung-yoon bowed his head.
It felt like everything they had built was crumbling before their eyes.
A technology they could never let go of.
They had endured for years without a name or product, thinking they were finally about to see the light.
But that light was fading right before them.
“If you look at Article 3 of the technology transfer agreement, it states that the defendant can file a jointly developed technology patent without prior consultation.”
The screen changed again.
It displayed a detailed explanation of the over 40-page interpretation document prepared by Ahsung Electronics’ legal team.
“……In conclusion, this patent was filed solely by the defendant in accordance with legal procedures and contractual provisions. Donghyun Chemical has not only failed to prove its contribution but has also forfeited any grounds for objection.”
The final statement was like a hammer blow.
“Plaintiff, would you like to rebut?”
At Chief Judge Lee Soo-hyuk’s words, Kim Jae-sik struggled to rise from his seat.
But even before he began, the momentum was completely against him.
“……Your Honor. The previously submitted technology agreement and documents do not accurately reflect the contribution to the technology development at the time. Our side also…….”
“Our side also?”
One of Ahsung’s lawyers interrupted with a subtle smile.
“Claims of technological contribution must be evidence-based. However, none of the submitted documents contain any objective indicators proving contribution. It’s merely an emotional argument.”
The judge nodded.
Even before Ahsung’s lawyer finished speaking, the courtroom atmosphere had already tilted toward ‘dismissal.’
Kim Jae-sik was at a loss for words.
The prepared explanation lay untouched on the desk.
He had no idea what to do with it.
Jang Byung-yoon slowly closed his eyes.
The air in the courtroom felt oppressively heavy.
No one spoke, but everyone felt it.
They had lost this battle completely.
But then.
The courtroom door opened, and a group of people entered.
All eyes turned toward them.
“Apologies, Your Honor. We request a change in the plaintiff’s legal representation.”
Silence fell.
“Change in legal representation?”
The person who answered Chief Judge Lee Soo-hyuk’s question was Shin Jun-tae, the lead attorney of Myeongshin Law Firm, South Korea’s most renowned intellectual property law firm.
“Yes, we have agreed to represent Donghyun Chemical. The relevant documents have already been submitted.”
Ahsung’s legal team began to stir.
“Your Honor, suddenly changing legal representation is procedurally problematic.”
An Ahsung lawyer hastily intervened, but Shin Jun-tae handed over the documents with a relaxed expression.
“Here is the formal power of attorney and the application for change of representation.”
“The application is missing the signature of Donghyun Chemical’s representative.”
Noticing the omission, an Ahsung lawyer pointed it out. Shin Jun-tae approached Jang Byung-yoon, who was sitting in the audience.
“This was sent by Dojin’s CEO Kang. You can sign it with confidence.”
At those gentle words, Jang Byung-yoon recalled the unexpected phone call he had received the night before.
[This is Kang Tae-joon. We would like to collaborate with Donghyun Chemical on argon fluoride (ArF) technology.]
[I understand there are many internal issues. Let us help you.]
He had been puzzled by the offer of help, but now he understood its meaning.
Jang Byung-yoon promptly signed the document.
“Please verify this, Your Honor.”
Chief Judge Lee Soo-hyuk nodded after reviewing the documents handed over by Shin Jun-tae.
“The change in plaintiff’s legal representation is approved. Continue with the arguments.”
Shin Jun-tae smiled and pulled a thick file from his briefcase, placing it on the evidence submission table.
“This is newly obtained evidence from our side.”
Ahsung’s legal team began to stir.
Unfazed, Shin Jun-tae continued.
“This material includes Ahsung Electronics’ technology strategy meeting minutes and internal emails, which clearly prove the plan and intent to preemptively claim the patent.”
Shin Jun-tae’s voice was clear and sharp.
“In particular, one of the emails contains specific and explicit instructions from the technology team to disguise Donghyun Chemical’s technology as Ahsung’s independent development.”
As Chief Judge Lee Soo-hyuk reviewed the documents, an Ahsung lawyer urgently raised a hand.
“Your Honor, this evidence is being disclosed for the first time. It is inappropriate to adopt it immediately.”
Shin Jun-tae countered instantly.
“This evidence was obtained legally. It must be adopted to determine the truth of the case.”
After consulting with the other judges, Chief Judge Lee Soo-hyuk made a decision.
“This court accepts the new evidence submitted by the plaintiff. Both parties should continue their arguments based on this evidence.”
The arrival of the new legal team completely shifted the courtroom’s atmosphere, and Jang Byung-yoon felt as if a heavy weight had been lifted from his chest.
The expressions of Donghyun Chemical’s employees also brightened.
“Your Honor, it is time to set the record straight.”
Shin Jun-tae’s voice rang firmly throughout the courtroom.
Ahsung’s legal team looked flustered, glancing at each other.
“First, let’s examine this email. It clearly shows how Ahsung Electronics’ internal research team disguised the technical data obtained through collaboration with Donghyun Chemical as their own independent development.”
The email content displayed on the screen was crystal clear.
Murmurs spread among the audience.
After deleting the original technical data, reorganize and record it as data from our internal research institute. Ensure that any collaboration with Donghyun Chemical is never disclosed during future patent filings.
Chief Judge Lee Soo-hyuk frowned as he reviewed the documents again.
“Defendant, would you like to explain this material?”
An Ahsung lawyer quickly stood up.
“Your Honor, the authenticity of this material is still unclear…….”
Shin Jun-tae interrupted immediately.
“This email has already been verified as authentic through a digital forensics process conducted by a court-designated expert institution. Additionally, other emails and internal meeting minutes consistently support this content.”
Shin Jun-tae continued to display additional materials on the screen.
As the vast amount of evidence was presented one by one, the courtroom’s atmosphere rapidly shifted in favor of Donghyun Chemical.
“Based on this evidence, it is clear that Ahsung Electronics planned from the beginning to unfairly monopolize the technological achievements obtained through collaboration with the plaintiff, Donghyun Chemical.”
Chief Judge Lee Soo-hyuk nodded gravely and looked at both legal teams.
“Defendant, do you have any further rebuttals?”
Ahsung’s lawyers exchanged glances and shuffled through their documents, but the situation had already turned sharply against them.
Chief Judge Lee Soo-hyuk spoke again.
“After carefully reviewing the new evidence submitted by the plaintiff, this court finds that the defendant, Ahsung Electronics, has sufficiently demonstrated its intent to unfairly monopolize the joint development achievements with Donghyun Chemical. Therefore, we recognize the plaintiff’s right to recover the patent and rule that the defendant’s patent filing is invalid. We restore the rights to the plaintiff, Donghyun Chemical.”
Whoaaaaaaah-!
The Donghyun Chemical employees erupted in cheers at Chief Judge Lee Soo-hyuk’s ruling.
Jang Byung-yoon’s eyes widened in disbelief.
His eyes seemed ready to spill tears at any moment.
Shin Jun-tae approached Jang Byung-yoon and extended his hand.
“Congratulations, Mr. Jang.”
“Thank you so much, Attorney Shin. I don’t know how I can ever repay this kindness…….”
Shin Jun-tae let out a hearty laugh.
“You don’t need to repay me. You should repay CEO Kang Tae-joon. He paid our firm, Myeongshin, a substantial fee for this trial.”