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- Korean courts order Intercos Korea to bear full legal costs, affirming both civil and criminal liability
SEOUL, South Korea, Feb. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Kolmar Korea has secured a decisive legal victory in a long-running dispute over the illegal leakage of proprietary sun care technologies involving Intercos Korea, the Korean subsidiary of Italian cosmetics ODM company Intercos. Following the Supreme Court's final guilty ruling, the courts have further ordered the losing party to bear the full cost of litigation, underscoring the seriousness of technology misappropriation and the accompanying legal responsibility.
Kolmar Korea recovered a total of KRW 31.2 million in legal costs from Intercos Korea and a former employee, representing the full amount of civil litigation expenses actually incurred in connection with the case.
The dispute originated when a former Kolmar Korea employee, identified as A, who had worked at the company for approximately 10 years, transferred to Intercos Korea in 2018 and unlawfully removed multiple core research and development materials, including proprietary sunscreen formulation data and new product development information. Investigations later revealed that another former employee, B, who also joined Intercos Korea around the same time, participated in the leakage of trade secrets.
In January 2024, the Supreme Court of Korea finalized guilty verdicts against both former employees. Subsequently, in October 2024, the Suwon District Court ruled that Intercos Korea had violated the Unfair Competition Prevention and Trade Secret Protection Act, imposing a fine of KRW 5 million.
A Kolmar Korea spokesperson commented, "This ruling represents the firm application of our principle that technology leakage must be held accountable to the very end. We will continue to take all necessary measures to protect our core technologies and R&D assets."
Kolmar Korea is widely recognized for its world-class sun care research and development capabilities. In 2022, the company established a dedicated research organization, the UV Tech Innovation Lab, and currently holds more than 100 patents related to UV protection technologies. Last year, Kolmar Korea developed the world's first stabilization technology for a hybrid composite sunscreen that combines mineral and chemical UV filters. The company has also been a pioneer in global sun care markets, having become the first company in Korea to obtain U.S. FDA OTC certification for sunscreen products in 2013.
- Korean courts order Intercos Korea to bear full legal costs, affirming both civil and criminal liability
SEOUL, South Korea, Feb. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Kolmar Korea has secured a decisive legal victory in a long-running dispute over the illegal leakage of proprietary sun care technologies involving Intercos Korea, the Korean subsidiary of Italian cosmetics ODM company Intercos. Following the Supreme Court's final guilty ruling, the courts have further ordered the losing party to bear the full cost of litigation, underscoring the seriousness of technology misappropriation and the accompanying legal responsibility.
Kolmar Korea recovered a total of KRW 31.2 million in legal costs from Intercos Korea and a former employee, representing the full amount of civil litigation expenses actually incurred in connection with the case.
The dispute originated when a former Kolmar Korea employee, identified as A, who had worked at the company for approximately 10 years, transferred to Intercos Korea in 2018 and unlawfully removed multiple core research and development materials, including proprietary sunscreen formulation data and new product development information. Investigations later revealed that another former employee, B, who also joined Intercos Korea around the same time, participated in the leakage of trade secrets.
In January 2024, the Supreme Court of Korea finalized guilty verdicts against both former employees. Subsequently, in October 2024, the Suwon District Court ruled that Intercos Korea had violated the Unfair Competition Prevention and Trade Secret Protection Act, imposing a fine of KRW 5 million.
A Kolmar Korea spokesperson commented, "This ruling represents the firm application of our principle that technology leakage must be held accountable to the very end. We will continue to take all necessary measures to protect our core technologies and R&D assets."
Kolmar Korea is widely recognized for its world-class sun care research and development capabilities. In 2022, the company established a dedicated research organization, the UV Tech Innovation Lab, and currently holds more than 100 patents related to UV protection technologies. Last year, Kolmar Korea developed the world's first stabilization technology for a hybrid composite sunscreen that combines mineral and chemical UV filters. The company has also been a pioneer in global sun care markets, having become the first company in Korea to obtain U.S. FDA OTC certification for sunscreen products in 2013.
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
Kolmar Korea Wins Legal Battle Over Sun Care Technology Leakage Against Intercos Korea
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Announced alongside M Series Smart Assist Module launch on Kickstarter
NEW YORK, April 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Yarbo, a company focused on intelligent yard robotics, today announced the Yarbo Open Platform, a long-term initiative currently under development and planned for release in early 2027. Designed to expand Yarbo's modular yard robot system across both software and hardware, the platform is intended to support deeper customization, broader smart home connectivity, and new forms of user and developer-driven functionality over time. The announcement coincides with the launch of the Smart Assist Module (SAM) for the M Series on Kickstarter.
The Open Platform is not available today. Instead, it reflects Yarbo's roadmap for how its ecosystem may evolve over time, including a three-layer software architecture built around an Open API, SDK, and no-code Automation Editor, as well as a hardware expansion framework designed to support future user-built and developer-built modules.
A Structured Approach to Software Integration and Automation
The Yarbo Open Platform is structured to accommodate different levels of technical expertise, from everyday users to experienced developers. It is designed to provide multiple entry points into the Yarbo ecosystem, enabling both software-driven automation and hardware-level expansion.
On the software side, the platform consists of three layers:
- Yarbo Open API — intended to enable connectivity between Yarbo devices and external platforms, allowing them to participate in broader home automation scenarios.
- Yarbo SDK — a set of development tools, including code libraries and documentation, designed for developers building custom features or integrations.
- Yarbo Automation Editor — a visual, drag-and-drop interface within the Yarbo app that allows users to create automation workflows without writing code.
Together, these components are intended to make automation accessible to a wide range of users, while also supporting more advanced development use cases.
The platform is also designed to support compatibility with widely used smart home ecosystems, including Home Assistant, Google Home, and Amazon Alexa, enabling users to incorporate Yarbo into existing connected home setups.
Extending Capability Through Hardware
In addition to software capabilities, the Open Platform introduces a hardware expansion approach designed to extend Yarbo's functionality beyond its existing modules.
At the center of this is CoreBridge, a standardized hardware interface currently in development that is intended to provide access to Yarbo's mechanical mounting points, power system, and data connections. It is designed to support third-party development and user-built extensions, allowing new types of functionality beyond pre-defined modules.
One example of this extensibility is an electromagnet-based module, which can be attached via CoreBridge to enable Yarbo to latch onto and move objects such as garbage bins. In a potential use scenario, this could enable automated movement of a bin to the curb on collection day and its return afterward.
This combination of software and hardware openness reflects an effort to expand the role of outdoor robotics beyond fixed-function devices.
Smart Assist Module Launch on Kickstarter
Alongside the Open Platform announcement, Yarbo is launching the Smart Assist Module (SAM) for the M Series on Kickstarter.
The module introduces two primary features designed to expand how users interact with their yard robot in everyday use:
- Follow Me Mode — enabling Yarbo to move alongside the user while carrying tools or materials, reducing the need for manual transport during yard work.
- Patrol Mode — allowing Yarbo to move along customizable routes around the property, with features such as remote live view, app-based alerts, and optional audio notifications via its built-in speaker, providing an added layer of awareness and convenience for users managing outdoor spaces.
The Smart Assist Module is positioned as part of Yarbo's broader effort to extend the practical use cases of its modular system.
Looking Ahead
The Yarbo Open Platform is planned for release in early 2027 and is being developed to support both the Y Series and M Series. By introducing a framework that combines software integration, developer tools, and hardware extensibility, Yarbo aims to enable a broader range of applications while allowing users to define how the system evolves over time.
Further details will be shared as development progresses.
About Yarbo
Yarbo is defining a new category of outdoor robotics with its Modular Yard Robot. Known for its automated snow blower robots, Yarbo introduced a modular system designed for year-round use. Powered by a single intelligent core unit, the system supports interchangeable modules for mowing, leaf blowing, snow clearing, and more—creating a more efficient approach to outdoor maintenance for homeowners.
Announced alongside M Series Smart Assist Module launch on Kickstarter
NEW YORK, April 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Yarbo, a company focused on intelligent yard robotics, today announced the Yarbo Open Platform, a long-term initiative currently under development and planned for release in early 2027. Designed to expand Yarbo's modular yard robot system across both software and hardware, the platform is intended to support deeper customization, broader smart home connectivity, and new forms of user and developer-driven functionality over time. The announcement coincides with the launch of the Smart Assist Module (SAM) for the M Series on Kickstarter.
The Open Platform is not available today. Instead, it reflects Yarbo's roadmap for how its ecosystem may evolve over time, including a three-layer software architecture built around an Open API, SDK, and no-code Automation Editor, as well as a hardware expansion framework designed to support future user-built and developer-built modules.
A Structured Approach to Software Integration and Automation
The Yarbo Open Platform is structured to accommodate different levels of technical expertise, from everyday users to experienced developers. It is designed to provide multiple entry points into the Yarbo ecosystem, enabling both software-driven automation and hardware-level expansion.
On the software side, the platform consists of three layers:
- Yarbo Open API — intended to enable connectivity between Yarbo devices and external platforms, allowing them to participate in broader home automation scenarios.
- Yarbo SDK — a set of development tools, including code libraries and documentation, designed for developers building custom features or integrations.
- Yarbo Automation Editor — a visual, drag-and-drop interface within the Yarbo app that allows users to create automation workflows without writing code.
Together, these components are intended to make automation accessible to a wide range of users, while also supporting more advanced development use cases.
The platform is also designed to support compatibility with widely used smart home ecosystems, including Home Assistant, Google Home, and Amazon Alexa, enabling users to incorporate Yarbo into existing connected home setups.
Extending Capability Through Hardware
In addition to software capabilities, the Open Platform introduces a hardware expansion approach designed to extend Yarbo's functionality beyond its existing modules.
At the center of this is CoreBridge, a standardized hardware interface currently in development that is intended to provide access to Yarbo's mechanical mounting points, power system, and data connections. It is designed to support third-party development and user-built extensions, allowing new types of functionality beyond pre-defined modules.
One example of this extensibility is an electromagnet-based module, which can be attached via CoreBridge to enable Yarbo to latch onto and move objects such as garbage bins. In a potential use scenario, this could enable automated movement of a bin to the curb on collection day and its return afterward.
This combination of software and hardware openness reflects an effort to expand the role of outdoor robotics beyond fixed-function devices.
Smart Assist Module Launch on Kickstarter
Alongside the Open Platform announcement, Yarbo is launching the Smart Assist Module (SAM) for the M Series on Kickstarter.
The module introduces two primary features designed to expand how users interact with their yard robot in everyday use:
- Follow Me Mode — enabling Yarbo to move alongside the user while carrying tools or materials, reducing the need for manual transport during yard work.
- Patrol Mode — allowing Yarbo to move along customizable routes around the property, with features such as remote live view, app-based alerts, and optional audio notifications via its built-in speaker, providing an added layer of awareness and convenience for users managing outdoor spaces.
The Smart Assist Module is positioned as part of Yarbo's broader effort to extend the practical use cases of its modular system.
Looking Ahead
The Yarbo Open Platform is planned for release in early 2027 and is being developed to support both the Y Series and M Series. By introducing a framework that combines software integration, developer tools, and hardware extensibility, Yarbo aims to enable a broader range of applications while allowing users to define how the system evolves over time.
Further details will be shared as development progresses.
About Yarbo
Yarbo is defining a new category of outdoor robotics with its Modular Yard Robot. Known for its automated snow blower robots, Yarbo introduced a modular system designed for year-round use. Powered by a single intelligent core unit, the system supports interchangeable modules for mowing, leaf blowing, snow clearing, and more—creating a more efficient approach to outdoor maintenance for homeowners.
** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **
Yarbo Introduces Open Platform Strategy, Opening Its Robotics System to Developers and Smart Home Ecosystems
Yarbo Introduces Open Platform Strategy, Opening Its Robotics System to Developers and Smart Home Ecosystems
