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A Historical Review of the Concept of ‘Design’ as ‘Uijang (意匠)’: Acceptance and Development of the Legal Term ‘Design’ in the Korean Design Protection Act

  • Asia Review
  • Abbr : SNUACAR
  • 2025, 15(2), pp.69~98
  • Publisher : 아시아연구소
  • Research Area : Social Science > Social Science in general
  • Received : February 13, 2025
  • Accepted : July 30, 2025
  • Published : August 31, 2025

박지윤 1 Kim, Minsoo 2

1
2서울대학교

Accredited

ABSTRACT

This study investigates the historical development and legal reception of the term ‘design’ within the context of Korea’s Design Protection Act. The current law, renamed in 2005, was previously known as ‘Uijang-beop’ (意匠法), a title inherited from Japanese law during the colonial period. This legacy illustrates how the legal terminology introduced under Japanese rule remained embedded in the Korean legal system for an extended time. Focusing on the term ‘Uijang’ (意匠), which was introduced into legal discourse in the late 19th century as a translation of ‘design,’ this study traces its historical trajectory and investigates how the term has influenced the formation of the legal concept of ‘design’ in contemporary Korea.

Citation status

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