메타버스와 현실세계의 상품에 대한 연구 ‒메타버스 상품과 현실세계 상품 간의 조화로운 관계를 중심으로‒

Due to COVID-19, people have quickly become accustomed to the Metaverse, a world where they can be active in “contactless” and contactless over the past few years. The Mmetaverse, where people moved their activities to avoid COVID-19, is considered an extension of the real world. In the Metaverse, people provide and trade goods and services to each other in daily life and business activities, just like in the real world. In this study, we look at the Virtual Goods Examination Guidelines of the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) and general views on how to view the relationship between Metaverse goods and real world goods. In accordance with the guidelines of the KIPO and general views, when goods in the real world and goods in the Metaverse are viewed separately, problems arise from likelihood of confusion, counterfeit products related to trademark infringement and malicious trademark filings. In order to solve such problems, this study argues that the relationship between Metaverse goods and real world goods should be interpreted harmoniously rather than separately, unlike the guidelines of the KIPO and general views. Furthermore this study proposes a solution plan for such problems and then reviews practical benefits.