Samsung Must Pay Employee for Unused Inventions, Korea Supreme Court Says

Samsung Electronics Corp. may still have to compensate an employee for a patented invention, even if that patent is later invalidated or is not practiced, the Korean Supreme Court has ruled (Supreme Court Case No. 2014 Da 220347, Jan. 25, 2017).

Background.

The plaintiff-employee, Choong-mo Ahn, developed during his employment two methods for retrieving a phone number from a cell phone by using dial keys. Samsung was assigned the right to file patent applications directed to the methods and secured two patents (hereinafter referred to as “ ‘700 patent” and “ ‘800 patent”). The employee filed a recovery action demanding ...