{"id":639,"date":"2026-02-28T14:57:41","date_gmt":"2026-02-28T14:57:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/atlaw.kr\/en-blog\/?p=639"},"modified":"2026-02-28T14:57:41","modified_gmt":"2026-02-28T14:57:41","slug":"golf-course-design-copyright-south-korea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/atlaw.kr\/en-blog\/golf-course-design-copyright-south-korea\/","title":{"rendered":"Are Golf Course Design Plans Copyrighted in South Korea?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><!-- ===== Schema Markup ===== --><\/p>\n<p><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\n{\n    \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n    \"@type\": \"Article\",\n    \"headline\": \"Are Golf Course Design Plans Protected by Copyright in South Korea? Supreme Court Ruling 2024Da228661 Explained\",\n    \"description\": \"South Korea's Supreme Court ruled on February 26, 2026 that golf course design plans may qualify as copyrighted works. Learn what this means for screen golf, simulation, VR, and digital recreation businesses operating in South Korea.\",\n    \"author\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Person\",\n        \"name\": \"Taejin Kim\",\n        \"jobTitle\": \"Attorney at Law\",\n        \"worksFor\": {\n            \"@type\": \"LegalService\",\n            \"name\": \"Atlas Legal\",\n            \"url\": \"https:\/\/atlaw.kr\",\n            \"address\": {\n                \"@type\": \"PostalAddress\",\n                \"addressLocality\": \"Incheon\",\n                \"addressRegion\": \"Songdo\"\n            }\n        }\n    },\n    \"publisher\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n        \"name\": \"Atlas Legal\",\n        \"url\": \"https:\/\/atlaw.kr\"\n    },\n    \"datePublished\": \"2026-02-28\",\n    \"dateModified\": \"2026-02-28\",\n    \"mainEntityOfPage\": {\n        \"@type\": \"WebPage\"\n    }\n}\n<\/script><\/p>\n<p><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\n{\n    \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n    \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n    \"mainEntity\": [\n        {\n            \"@type\": \"Question\",\n            \"name\": \"Can golf course design plans be protected by copyright in South Korea?\",\n            \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                \"text\": \"Yes. South Korea's Supreme Court held on February 26, 2026 that golf course design plans can qualify as copyrighted works if the designer exercised creative originality in selecting, arranging, and combining the elements of the course \u2014 provided that selection and arrangement is not something anyone would produce in the same or similar way (Supreme Court Decision 2024Da228661).\"\n            }\n        },\n        {\n            \"@type\": \"Question\",\n            \"name\": \"Does obtaining a license from the golf course owner also cover the designer's copyright in South Korea?\",\n            \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                \"text\": \"No. The golf course owner's permission covers the use of the land and facilities. Copyright in the design plans belongs separately to the designer or design firm. Any business that digitally recreates a golf course \u2014 such as a screen golf company \u2014 must obtain a separate license from the copyright holder of the design plans.\"\n            }\n        },\n        {\n            \"@type\": \"Question\",\n            \"name\": \"What is a functional work, and can it receive copyright protection in South Korea?\",\n            \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                \"text\": \"A functional work is one whose primary purpose is to express a functional or practical idea rather than artistic expression \u2014 such as architectural drawings, maps, or technical plans. Under South Korean copyright law, functional works can still receive protection if they contain the author's independent expression and creative originality, going beyond merely conveying a function or practical idea.\"\n            }\n        },\n        {\n            \"@type\": \"Question\",\n            \"name\": \"What are the requirements for copyright infringement in South Korea?\",\n            \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                \"text\": \"Copyright infringement in South Korea requires two elements: (1) the defendant's work was created with reference to the plaintiff's work (causal connection), and (2) the defendant's work is substantially similar to the creative expression in the plaintiff's work (substantial similarity). Both elements must be satisfied.\"\n            }\n        },\n        {\n            \"@type\": \"Question\",\n            \"name\": \"Why did the Supreme Court overturn the appellate court's decision in this case?\",\n            \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                \"text\": \"The appellate court ruled that the golf course design plans contained no creative expression beyond functional elements and denied copyright protection. The Supreme Court held that the appellate court erred by failing to properly examine whether the selection, arrangement, and combination of design elements reflected creative originality distinct from existing golf course plans, and remanded the case to the Seoul High Court (Supreme Court Decision 2024Da228661, February 26, 2026).\"\n            }\n        },\n        {\n            \"@type\": \"Question\",\n            \"name\": \"How does this ruling affect screen golf, VR, and simulation businesses in South Korea?\",\n            \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                \"text\": \"Businesses that digitally recreate real-world spaces \u2014 including screen golf operators, VR platforms, and game developers \u2014 must now verify and obtain licenses from both the property owner and the original designer or design firm. Relying solely on an agreement with the property owner is insufficient and may expose the business to copyright infringement claims, damages, injunctions, and destruction orders.\"\n            }\n        }\n    ]\n}\n<\/script><\/p>\n<p><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\n{\n    \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n    \"@type\": \"LocalBusiness\",\n    \"name\": \"Atlas Legal\",\n    \"image\": \"https:\/\/atlaw.kr\/logo.png\",\n    \"url\": \"https:\/\/atlaw.kr\",\n    \"telephone\": \"+82-32-864-8300\",\n    \"address\": {\n        \"@type\": \"PostalAddress\",\n        \"streetAddress\": \"323 Incheon Tower-daero, B-dong 2901, Songdo-dong, Centroad\",\n        \"addressLocality\": \"Incheon\",\n        \"addressRegion\": \"Yeonsu-gu, Incheon\",\n        \"addressCountry\": \"KR\"\n    },\n    \"priceRange\": \"$$\",\n    \"openingHoursSpecification\": {\n        \"@type\": \"OpeningHoursSpecification\",\n        \"dayOfWeek\": 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  }\n<\/style>\n<p><!-- ===== Body Content ===== --><\/p>\n<div class=\"content-container\">\n<p>    <!-- Table of Contents --><\/p>\n<div class=\"toc\">\n<h2>Table of Contents<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#section1\">1. What Was This Case About?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#section2\">2. What Is a Functional Work, and Can It Be Copyrighted in South Korea?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#section3\">3. How Is Creativity Assessed in Golf Course Design Plans?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#section4\">4. Does a License from the Golf Course Owner Cover the Designer&#8217;s Copyright?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#section5\">5. What Does This Ruling Mean for Businesses in Practice?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#section6\">6. FAQ<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<p>    <!-- Story Hook --><\/p>\n<div class=\"story-hook\">\n<p><strong>Case Background:<\/strong> A major South Korean screen golf company had signed usage agreements with the owners of 11 golf courses and digitally recreated those courses in its simulation system. The company believed that having the golf course owners&#8217; permission was all it needed. Then, the American firm that had designed those very courses filed a copyright infringement lawsuit \u2014 without ever having been asked for permission. Can a golf course design plan really be copyrighted?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>    <!-- Direct Answer --><\/p>\n<div class=\"direct-answer\">\n        <strong>Direct Answer:<\/strong> Yes \u2014 in South Korea, golf course design plans can be protected by copyright. On February 26, 2026, South Korea&#8217;s Supreme Court ruled that if a designer exercised genuine creative originality in selecting, arranging, and combining design elements, those plans may qualify as a copyrighted work \u2014 even if the plans also serve a functional purpose (Supreme Court Decision 2024Da228661).\n    <\/div>\n<p>    <!-- Story Development --><\/p>\n<div class=\"story-detail\">\n<h3>Why Wasn&#8217;t the Course Owner&#8217;s Permission Enough?<\/h3>\n<p class=\"disclaimer\">\u203b This article is based on the Supreme Court Decision 2024Da228661 (February 26, 2026) and the official press release issued by the Supreme Court of Korea.<\/p>\n<p>The screen golf company had secured agreements from each golf course owner, believing those agreements gave it the right to recreate the courses digitally. What it overlooked was that the golf course designs themselves were the creative output of a separate American design firm \u2014 created under a design contract with the course owners. Ownership of the land does not equal ownership of the design. The case forced South Korea&#8217;s Supreme Court to confront a fundamental question: can a design document with a functional purpose also carry copyright protection? The first-instance court said yes; the appellate court said no. The Supreme Court overturned the appellate ruling and sent the case back for proper review.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"section1\">1. What Was This Case About?<\/h2>\n<p>The plaintiff was an American golf course design firm. It had entered into separate design contracts with the owners of 11 golf courses in South Korea, creating the course layouts for each. The defendant, a South Korean screen golf simulation company, entered into usage agreements with the golf course owners and incorporated digitally recreated versions of those courses into its screen golf service \u2014 without ever seeking permission from the design firm that created the original layouts.<\/p>\n<h3>How Did Each Court Rule?<\/h3>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<th>Court<\/th>\n<th>Outcome<\/th>\n<th>Key Reasoning<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>First Instance Court<\/td>\n<td>Plaintiff partially prevailed<\/td>\n<td>The golf course design plans displayed creative originality and qualified as copyrighted works<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Appellate Court (Seoul High Court)<\/td>\n<td>Plaintiff lost<\/td>\n<td>The plans contained no creative expression beyond functional elements; no copyright protection<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Supreme Court of Korea<\/td>\n<td>Reversed and remanded<\/td>\n<td>The appellate court failed to properly examine whether creative originality existed; case sent back for further review<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p>The plaintiff claimed copyright infringement and sought damages, an injunction against continued use, and destruction of all infringing materials.<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"section2\">2. What Is a Functional Work, and Can It Be Copyrighted in South Korea?<\/h2>\n<p>Under the Korean Copyright Act, a &#8220;work&#8221; is defined as a creative production that expresses human thoughts or emotions (Article 2, Item 1 of the Copyright Act). A <strong>functional work<\/strong> is one whose primary purpose is to express a functional or practical idea \u2014 such as architectural blueprints, maps, technical manuals, or engineering drawings \u2014 rather than to create artistic expression for its own sake.<\/p>\n<h3>The Standard for Copyright Protection of Functional Works<\/h3>\n<p>South Korea&#8217;s Supreme Court has established the following consistent standard for functional works:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>General rule:<\/strong> Functional works are often limited in how they can be expressed \u2014 because the expression is constrained by the nature of the function, general conventions in the field, or the needs of users. For that reason, many functional works lack the creativity required for copyright protection.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Exception:<\/strong> However, if a functional work contains the author&#8217;s own independent expression and reflects creative originality, it can qualify for copyright protection \u2014 even if it also serves a practical purpose.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The key point: being a &#8220;functional work&#8221; does not automatically disqualify a work from copyright protection. What matters is whether the work contains the author&#8217;s independent creative choices beyond merely conveying a function or practical idea.<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"section3\">3. How Is Creativity Assessed in Golf Course Design Plans?<\/h2>\n<p>The Supreme Court analyzed the creativity question in two stages: first identifying the constraints that limit creative expression in golf course design, and then examining whether meaningful creative choices remain possible within those constraints.<\/p>\n<h3>Factors That Constrain Creative Expression in Golf Course Design<\/h3>\n<p>The Court acknowledged the following real-world limitations on a golf course designer&#8217;s creative freedom:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Rules of golf:<\/strong> The number of holes, par scores, stroke sequences, and play order are predetermined by the rules of golf.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Physical constraints of the site:<\/strong> The terrain, topography, and safety and convenience requirements for players must be respected.<\/li>\n<li><strong>USGA guidelines:<\/strong> The United States Golf Association provides recommended ranges for fairway width, bunker types and depths, and other elements.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Equipment and physical limitations:<\/strong> The distance capabilities of players and golf equipment place practical limits on hole lengths and layouts.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Why Creative Originality Can Still Be Found<\/h3>\n<p>Despite these constraints, the Supreme Court held that a designer retains substantial creative latitude. Within those limits, a designer can express genuine creative originality by making independent choices about how to <strong>select, arrange, and combine<\/strong> design elements, including:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The overall shape and arrangement of individual holes across the full course<\/li>\n<li>The placement, shape, and number of hazards such as bunkers, water hazards, and rough areas<\/li>\n<li>The strategic challenge created for players at each shot situation \u2014 from tee shot through approach and putting<\/li>\n<li>The integration of artificial landscaping and natural surroundings to create aesthetic appeal<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The Court stated that as long as the selection, arrangement, and combination of those elements is not &#8220;merely a copy of someone else&#8217;s work or something anyone would produce in the same or similar way,&#8221; the design plans may be found to contain the designer&#8217;s independent expression and creative originality distinct from existing golf course plans (Supreme Court Decision 2024Da228661, February 26, 2026).<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"section4\">4. Does a License from the Golf Course Owner Cover the Designer&#8217;s Copyright?<\/h2>\n<p>This is one of the most practically significant questions raised by this case. The screen golf company had obtained usage agreements from the golf course owners. But the Supreme Court&#8217;s reasoning makes clear that this alone is not sufficient to avoid copyright infringement claims by the designer.<\/p>\n<h3>Property Ownership and Copyright Are Separate Rights<\/h3>\n<p>Copyright in a design belongs, in principle, to the person who created it \u2014 not to the person who commissioned or owns the property on which the design was built. The golf course owner has rights over the land and physical facilities; the design firm retains copyright in the design plans it created.<\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<th>Type of Right<\/th>\n<th>Right Holder<\/th>\n<th>Scope<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Ownership of golf course land and facilities<\/td>\n<td>Golf course owner<\/td>\n<td>Can authorize use of the physical land and structures<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Copyright in golf course design plans<\/td>\n<td>Designer \/ design firm<\/td>\n<td>Can authorize reproduction of and creation of derivative works based on the plans<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p>Confusing these two distinct rights is a common \u2014 and costly \u2014 mistake. Any business that digitally recreates a physical space must identify and obtain separate licenses from both the property owner and the copyright holder of the underlying design or architectural work.<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"section5\">5. What Does This Ruling Mean for Businesses in Practice?<\/h2>\n<p>The Supreme Court&#8217;s decision in Case 2024Da228661 carries significant practical implications well beyond screen golf.<\/p>\n<h3>Broader Recognition of Copyright in Functional Design Works<\/h3>\n<p>This ruling reinforces that functional works \u2014 including architectural plans, landscape designs, urban layout plans, and game map designs \u2014 are not automatically excluded from copyright protection in South Korea. Courts must conduct a genuine examination of whether creative originality exists in the selection and arrangement of design elements, rather than dismissing protection solely on the basis that the work serves a functional purpose.<\/p>\n<h3>A Clear Warning for the Digital Recreation and Simulation Industry<\/h3>\n<p>Businesses that digitally recreate real-world spaces \u2014 screen golf operators, VR tourism platforms, game developers, metaverse builders \u2014 must now approach licensing with greater care in South Korea. The risks of relying only on the property owner&#8217;s consent include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Liability for copyright infringement damages potentially reaching hundreds of millions of Korean Won<\/li>\n<li>Court orders requiring the business to cease all infringing services<\/li>\n<li>Orders for the destruction of all infringing materials, including software and systems<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Before launching any product or service that digitally replicates a designed physical space, legal due diligence should include identifying all potential copyright holders \u2014 not only property owners but also architects, landscape designers, course designers, and other creative contributors.<\/p>\n<h3>Impact on How Courts Must Analyze Copyright Claims<\/h3>\n<p>The Supreme Court also made clear that courts have a duty to conduct substantive examination of whether creative originality exists in a work&#8217;s selection, arrangement, and combination of elements \u2014 rather than dismissing protection with a summary conclusion that the work is merely functional. This higher standard of judicial scrutiny benefits copyright holders across a wide range of industries.<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"section6\">6. FAQ<\/h2>\n<div class=\"faq-section\">\n<div class=\"faq-item\">\n<div class=\"faq-question\">Q1. Can golf course design plans be protected by copyright in South Korea?<\/div>\n<div class=\"faq-answer\">A. Yes. South Korea&#8217;s Supreme Court held that golf course design plans can qualify as copyrighted works if the designer exercised creative originality in selecting, arranging, and combining design elements in a way that is not something anyone would produce in the same or similar way (Supreme Court Decision 2024Da228661, February 26, 2026).<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"faq-item\">\n<div class=\"faq-question\">Q2. Does obtaining a license from the golf course owner also cover the designer&#8217;s copyright?<\/div>\n<div class=\"faq-answer\">A. No. The golf course owner&#8217;s permission covers use of the land and physical facilities only. Copyright in the design plans belongs separately to the designer or design firm. Any business \u2014 such as a screen golf company \u2014 that digitally recreates a golf course must obtain a separate license directly from the copyright holder of the design plans.<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"faq-item\">\n<div class=\"faq-question\">Q3. What is a functional work, and can it receive copyright protection under South Korean law?<\/div>\n<div class=\"faq-answer\">A. A functional work is one whose primary purpose is to express a functional or practical idea rather than artistic expression \u2014 such as blueprints, maps, or technical plans. Under South Korean copyright law, functional works can still receive protection if they contain the author&#8217;s independent expression and creative originality, going beyond merely conveying a function or practical idea.<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"faq-item\">\n<div class=\"faq-question\">Q4. What are the two requirements for copyright infringement in South Korea?<\/div>\n<div class=\"faq-answer\">A. Copyright infringement in South Korea requires: (1) the defendant&#8217;s work was created with reference to the plaintiff&#8217;s work (causal connection \/ \uc758\uac70\uad00\uacc4), and (2) the defendant&#8217;s work is substantially similar to the creative expression in the plaintiff&#8217;s work (substantial similarity \/ \uc2e4\uc9c8\uc801 \uc720\uc0ac\uc131). Both elements must be established for infringement to be found.<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"faq-item\">\n<div class=\"faq-question\">Q5. Why did the Supreme Court overturn the appellate court&#8217;s decision?<\/div>\n<div class=\"faq-answer\">A. The appellate court denied copyright protection by concluding that the design plans contained no creative expression beyond functional elements, without properly examining whether the selection, arrangement, and combination of design elements reflected creative originality distinct from existing golf course plans. The Supreme Court held this analysis was insufficient and remanded the case to the Seoul High Court for proper review (Supreme Court Decision 2024Da228661, February 26, 2026).<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"faq-item\">\n<div class=\"faq-question\">Q6. How does this ruling affect screen golf, VR, and simulation businesses operating in South Korea?<\/div>\n<div class=\"faq-answer\">A. Businesses that digitally recreate real-world designed spaces must obtain licenses from both the property owner and the original designer or design firm. Relying solely on a property owner&#8217;s agreement is insufficient and may expose the business to copyright infringement claims, substantial damages, service injunctions, and product destruction orders under South Korean law.<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>When dealing with copyright disputes involving functional design works, or when building products and services that digitally recreate designed spaces, proper legal due diligence at the outset can prevent far more costly litigation later. Our team has handled complex intellectual property and corporate disputes drawing on extensive practical experience across both domestic and cross-border matters.<\/p>\n<p class=\"disclaimer\">\u203b The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The applicable legal analysis may differ depending on the specific facts and circumstances of each case. Please consult a qualified attorney for advice on your particular situation.<\/p>\n<div class=\"author-box\">\n<h3>About the Author<\/h3>\n<div class=\"author-name\">Taejin Kim | Managing Attorney<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-info\">Corporate Advisory, Corporate Disputes, Corporate Criminal Defense<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-info\">Former Prosecutor | Judicial Research and Training Institute, 33rd Class<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-info\">LL.B. &#038; LL.M. in Criminal Law, Korea University | LL.M., University of California, Davis<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-info\">Atlas Legal (\ubc95\ubb34\ubc95\uc778 \uc544\ud2c0\ub77c\uc2a4) | Songdo, Incheon<\/div>\n<p>        <a href=\"https:\/\/atlaw.kr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Visit Atlas Legal Website<\/a>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Table of Contents 1. What Was This Case About? 2. What Is a Functional Work, and Can It Be Copyrighted in South Korea? 3. How Is Creativity Assessed in Golf Course Design Plans? 4. Does a License from the Golf Course Owner Cover the Designer&#8217;s Copyright? 5. What Does This Ruling Mean for Businesses in&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kadence_starter_templates_imported_post":false,"_kad_post_transparent":"default","_kad_post_title":"default","_kad_post_layout":"default","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"default","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"default","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[218,15],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-639","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-corporate-counseling","category-corporate"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Are Golf Course Design Plans Copyrighted in South Korea? | Atlas Legal<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"South Korea&#039;s Supreme Court ruled golf course design plans may qualify as copyrighted works. 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