📌 Case Summary: Criminal Penalty for Art Plagiarism
The incident occurred when a large café in Andong reproduced Ko Sang-woo’s artwork Destiny as a mural, without obtaining permission or crediting the artist. The mural was promoted on social media and used for commercial purposes. Ko filed a criminal complaint for copyright infringement.
The court sentenced:
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The mural artist (A) and
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The café owner (B)
to 8 months in prison with 2 years of probation, recognizing the act as serious and intentional plagiarism of a copyrighted artwork.
🎨 Why This Case Matters: Art Deserves Legal Protection
This ruling establishes a critical legal precedent:
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Fine art is protected under copyright law just as literature, music, or film.
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Unauthorized use—even as a mural or reinterpretation—is subject to criminal liability.
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The case redefines how public art, design, and murals must respect intellectual property rights.
💬 Artist’s Response: “A wake-up call for the art world”
Ko Sang-woo expressed hope that this ruling would raise awareness of systemic disregard for artists’ rights:
“I hope this case will sound a wake-up call against the culture of ignoring artists’ copyrights.”
The ruling has been welcomed by legal experts and art institutions as a turning point in Korean art law.
⚖️ Legal Implications
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Murals and commercial art installations must be created with explicit copyright permissions.
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Derivative works, even if altered in style or format, must honor original authorship.
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Art institutions, interior designers, and businesses must now consult legal counsel or licensing bodies to avoid exposure to criminal penalties.