Understanding the terminology for business agreements is crucial when operating internationally. This guide focuses on how to discuss and refer to a “Technology Transfer Agreement” in Korean, providing essential vocabulary and phrases for navigating related business discussions and contracts in Korea.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 기술이전계약
Pronunciation: gi-sul-i-jeon-gye-yak
Meaning: Technology Transfer Agreement (기술: technology, 이전: transfer, 계약: contract/agreement)
Key Terms Related to Technology Transfer
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Expression: 기술
Pronunciation: gi-sul
Meaning: Technology -
Expression: 이전
Pronunciation: i-jeon
Meaning: Transfer -
Expression: 계약
Pronunciation: gye-yak
Meaning: Contract, Agreement -
Expression: 라이선스
Pronunciation: ra-i-seon-seu
Meaning: License -
Expression: 특허
Pronunciation: teuk-heo
Meaning: Patent -
Expression: 노하우
Pronunciation: no-ha-u
Meaning: Know-how -
Expression: 로열티
Pronunciation: ro-yeol-ti
Meaning: Royalty -
Expression: 계약서
Pronunciation: gye-yak-seo
Meaning: Contract document, Written agreement -
Expression: 당사자
Pronunciation: dang-sa-ja
Meaning: Party (to a contract) -
Expression: 비밀유지
Pronunciation: bi-mil-yu-ji
Meaning: Confidentiality -
Expression: 지식재산권
Pronunciation: ji-sik-jae-san-gwon
Meaning: Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) -
Expression: 실시권
Pronunciation: sil-si-gwon
Meaning: License (right to practice/use the technology)
Essential Phrases for Negotiation
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Expression: 기술이전 계약 조건을 논의하고 싶습니다.
Pronunciation: gi-sul-i-jeon gye-yak jo-geon-eul non-ui-ha-go sip-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I would like to discuss the terms of the technology transfer agreement. -
Expression: 로열티 비율은 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: ro-yeol-ti bi-yul-eun eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What is the royalty rate? -
Expression: 계약 기간은 얼마 동안입니까?
Pronunciation: gye-yak gi-gan-eun eol-ma dong-an-im-ni-kka?
Meaning: What is the contract period? -
Expression: 비밀유지 조항을 포함해야 합니다.
Pronunciation: bi-mil-yu-ji jo-hang-eul po-ham-hae-ya ham-ni-da.
Meaning: We need to include a confidentiality clause. -
Expression: 기술의 범위는 어디까지인가요?
Pronunciation: gi-sul-ui beom-wi-neun eo-di-kka-ji-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: What is the scope of the technology? -
Expression: 독점적 실시권을 원합니다.
Pronunciation: dok-jeom-jeok sil-si-gwon-eul won-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: We want an exclusive license. -
Expression: 개량 기술에 대한 권리는 어떻게 됩니까?
Pronunciation: gae-ryang gi-sul-e dae-han gwol-li-neun eo-tteo-ke doem-ni-kka?
Meaning: What about the rights to improvement technology? -
Expression: 계약서 초안을 검토해 보겠습니다.
Pronunciation: gye-yak-seo cho-an-eul geom-to-hae bo-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: We will review the draft agreement. -
Expression: 법률 자문을 받아야 합니다.
Pronunciation: beom-nyul ja-mun-eul ba-da-ya ham-ni-da.
Meaning: We need to seek legal advice. -
Expression: 이 조건에 동의합니다.
Pronunciation: i jo-geon-e dong-ui-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: We agree to these terms. -
Expression: 협상할 여지가 있습니까?
Pronunciation: hyeop-sang-hal yeo-ji-ga it-seum-ni-kka?
Meaning: Is there room for negotiation? -
Expression: 선급금은 얼마입니까?
Pronunciation: seon-geup-geum-eun eol-ma-im-ni-kka?
Meaning: How much is the upfront payment?
Common Contract Clauses
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Expression: 정의 조항
Pronunciation: jeong-ui jo-hang
Meaning: Definitions clause -
Expression: 라이선스 부여
Pronunciation: ra-i-seon-seu bu-yeo
Meaning: Grant of license -
Expression: 대가 지급 조건
Pronunciation: dae-ga ji-geup jo-geon
Meaning: Payment terms (consideration) -
Expression: 비밀유지 의무
Pronunciation: bi-mil-yu-ji ui-mu
Meaning: Confidentiality obligation -
Expression: 지식재산권 귀속
Pronunciation: ji-sik-jae-san-gwon gwi-sok
Meaning: Ownership of intellectual property rights -
Expression: 계약 기간 및 해지
Pronunciation: gye-yak gi-gan mit hae-ji
Meaning: Term and termination -
Expression: 준거법
Pronunciation: jun-geo-beop
Meaning: Governing law -
Expression: 분쟁 해결 절차
Pronunciation: bun-jaeng hae-gyeol jeol-cha
Meaning: Dispute resolution procedure -
Expression: 보증 및 면책
Pronunciation: bo-jeung mit myeon-chaek
Meaning: Warranties and indemnification -
Expression: 양도 금지
Pronunciation: yang-do geum-ji
Meaning: Prohibition of assignment -
Expression: 불가항력
Pronunciation: bul-ga-hang-nyeok
Meaning: Force majeure -
Expression: 완전 합의 조항
Pronunciation: wan-jeon hap-ui jo-hang
Meaning: Entire agreement clause
Korean Business Culture Notes
When negotiating technology transfer agreements in Korea, understanding cultural nuances is beneficial. Building personal relationships (관계, gwan-gye) is often important before diving deep into business details. Expect a formal process and meticulous attention to detail in contract reviews.
Decision-making might involve multiple levels within a Korean company, potentially leading to longer negotiation timelines than you might expect. Patience and persistence are key virtues.
Using intermediaries or consultants familiar with Korean business practices can sometimes facilitate smoother negotiations, especially regarding sensitive points like royalty rates or exclusivity.
While contracts are legally binding, the underlying relationship and mutual trust are highly valued. Maintaining a harmonious relationship throughout the negotiation and contract lifecycle is often prioritized.
Ensure all documentation is clear and preferably available in both English and Korean to avoid misunderstandings. Having professional translation and legal review is highly recommended.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Representatives from two companies are discussing the terms for a technology transfer agreement.
Roles: A: Representative from TechNova (Technology Provider), B: Representative from Innovate Solutions (Technology Recipient)
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Expression: A: 기술이전계약의 주요 조건에 대해 논의해 봅시다. 로열티는 매출의 5%로 제안합니다.
Pronunciation: A: gi-sul-i-jeon-gye-yak-ui ju-yo jo-geon-e dae-hae non-ui-hae bop-si-da. ro-yeol-ti-neun mae-chul-ui o-peu-ro-ro je-an-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: A: Let’s discuss the main terms of the technology transfer agreement. We propose a royalty of 5% of sales. -
Expression: B: 5%는 조금 높은 것 같습니다. 3%로 시작하는 것은 어떻습니까? 그리고 독점적 실시권을 원합니다.
Pronunciation: B: o-peu-ro-neun jo-geum nop-eun geot gat-seum-ni-da. sam-peu-ro-ro si-jak-ha-neun geo-seun eo-tteo-seum-ni-kka? geu-ri-go dok-jeom-jeok sil-si-gwon-eul won-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: B: 5% seems a bit high. How about starting at 3%? Also, we would like an exclusive license. -
Expression: A: 독점권에 대해서는 논의할 수 있지만, 로열티는 최소 4%는 되어야 합니다. 계약 기간은 5년으로 제안합니다.
Pronunciation: A: dok-jeom-gwon-e dae-hae-seo-neun non-ui-hal su it-ji-man, ro-yeol-ti-neun choe-so sa-peu-ro-neun doe-eo-ya ham-ni-da. gye-yak gi-gan-eun o-nyeon-eu-ro je-an-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: A: We can discuss exclusivity, but the royalty needs to be at least 4%. We propose a contract term of 5 years. -
Expression: B: 4% 로열티와 5년 계약 기간, 독점권 부여 조건이라면 긍정적으로 검토해 보겠습니다. 계약서 초안을 보내주십시오.
Pronunciation: B: sa-peu-ro ro-yeol-ti-wa o-nyeon gye-yak gi-gan, dok-jeom-gwon bu-yeo jo-geon-i-ra-myeon geung-jeong-jeo-geu-ro geom-to-hae bo-get-seum-ni-da. gye-yak-seo cho-an-eul bo-nae-ju-sip-si-o.
Meaning: B: If the terms are a 4% royalty, a 5-year contract period, and the grant of exclusivity, we will review it positively. Please send us the draft agreement. -
Expression: A: 알겠습니다. 내일까지 계약서 초안을 준비해서 보내드리겠습니다. 비밀유지 조항도 포함될 것입니다.
Pronunciation: A: al-get-seum-ni-da. nae-il-kka-ji gye-yak-seo cho-an-eul jun-bi-hae-seo bo-nae-deu-ri-get-seum-ni-da. bi-mil-yu-ji jo-hang-do po-ham-doel geo-sim-ni-da.
Meaning: A: Understood. We will prepare and send the draft agreement by tomorrow. A confidentiality clause will also be included.
Practice Tips
Mastering terms related to 기술이전계약 takes practice! Try role-playing negotiation scenarios with a study partner~ Use the key terms and phrases to build your own sentences describing different contract situations. Reviewing sample Korean technology transfer agreements (if accessible) can also provide valuable context! Fighting! (화이팅! hwa-i-ting!)
Focus on understanding the nuances between terms like 특허 (patent) and 노하우 (know-how), and how they relate to 실시권 (license). Consistent practice will build your confidence for real-world business discussions in Korean! Good luck with your studies~!
