Our team monitors cushion products released in the Chinese market with patent infringements on Amorepacific cushion compacts, and seeks follow-up measures to assist the Korean HQ with its actions towards the infringements. That's why I have considerable interest in cushion compacts. I monitor cushion products from Korean, Chinese and global brands that are sold in China and share this information with the Korean HQ to continuously find ways to keep ahead of the competition through patents on cushion technologies.

 Our tasks include helping the Korean HQ with litigation regarding Chinese patents and utility models. China is a country with a high rate of litigation. So, the team provides active support when a litigation occurs regarding patents or utility models for our products and promotional gifts in the Chinese market. It can take considerable time to reach a conclusion in litigation and there are various elements to be considered under law. Therefore, it's essential to analyze the case from different angles and keep communicating with related teams and personnel, including the brand managers at Amorepacific China.

 In our team, we also monitor Chinese patents by Korean, Chinese and global competitors (L'Oréal, Shiseido, Estée Lauder, P&G, Unilever, Kao, LVMH, LG Household & Health Care, Inoherb, Proya, Carslan), and provide insights to the Korean HQ. We also look for patents on rising topics such as AI and eco-friendly subjects (natural preservatives, particulate matter, degradable plastics, microorganisms, organic or botanical ingredients). The learning from this monitoring helps us identify the tendency or direction of competitor patents, which could be then analyzed and used in product development process.

 The Intellectual Property Team collaborates closely with related Chinese government agencies. This includes supporting their visits to Amorepacific China or the Korean HQ. As our brands raise their name in the Chinese market, more Chinese officials are paying attention to our company. Have you read some of the many articles on the in-company newsletter reporting that officials from Chinese government agencies had visited our Beauty Campus Osan and Signature Camp? This is part of our team's responsibilities to do our best to make their visits go smoothly.

 In addition, the team enthusiastically participates in brand protection events held for government officials from the State Intellectual Property Office, State Administration for Industry and Commerce, and General Administration of Customs of China to enhance protection for our products and brands by informing them of our brands, as well as ways to spot fake or counterfeit products.

 I would like to express my gratitude to you once again for reading my columns on life here in China. Leaving regrets in the past, I will continue on with my endeavors as a specialist in Chinese intellectual property! Thank you.