Korea Software Copyright Association

What Korea Software Copyright Association does

Korea Software Copyright Association (한국소프트웨어저작권협회, SPC, DBA: Korea Software Property-Right Council) is a private non-profit incorporated association (사단법인) established under Civil Law Article 32, currently under the supervision of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Founded originally as the Software Copyright Protection Committee in 1993 and formally incorporated in 2000, SPC operates as the only private software copyright protection organization in Korea, holding statutory authorization under Permit No. 2000-16. It serves software copyright holders, enterprises seeking software asset management, government agencies, and educational institutions, with a base of 120+ member companies across the Korean software industry.

SPC's core product platform is the ©SAM brand, an integrated software asset management service covering the full lifecycle from procurement through disposal. The platform combines SAM DB (Korea's largest software database, used as the enforcement standard by judicial authorities and updated with ~300 new license entries monthly from copyright holders), SAM Tool (an agent-based real-time management solution supporting Windows, Linux, Oracle, My-SQL, and Ms-SQL), SAM Consulting/Audit/Compliance services, SAM Stay Current ongoing monitoring, and ©SAM certification against ISO/IEC 19770-1. Adjacent offerings include the C-SAM nationally certified qualification program (Level 2 nationally certified, Level 1 registered private qualification), SMART Check (free and paid PC software/font/malware inspection), copyright registration agency services, software escrow services with the Korea Copyright Commission, and the Angel illegal software reporting service.

The organization's revenue model is diversified across multiple streams including membership fees (enrollment 1,000,000 KRW plus annual 1,000,000-3,000,000 KRW tiered by company size), C-SAM exam fees (50,000-100,000 KRW per exam), copyright registration fees (200,000-250,000 KRW per filing), SW escrow fees (250,000-500,000 KRW per contract), and SMART Check Plus subscriptions (3,300-5,500 KRW). Go-to-market relies primarily on direct engagement, the association's website portal, press releases, and partnerships with government and academic institutions. SPC also operates government-funded vocational training programs (Seoul Smart Job, K-Digital Training, Campus Town) under contract with Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Ministry of Employment and Labor.

Name

Korea Software Copyright Association

Legal name

Korea Software Property-Right Council

Website

https://www.spc.or.kr

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Korea Software Copyright Association (SPC) is Korea's sole authorized private software copyright protection organization, operating the ©SAM platform, SAM DB (Korea's largest software database), C-SAM national qualification, and copyright registration and escrow services for software vendors, enterprises, government, and educational institutions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Software Asset Management and Copyright Protection Services

NAICS

Software Publishers (513210), Directory and Mailing List Publishers (51314)

SIC

Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370), Services-Legal Services (8111)

akta.pro primary industry

Software Asset Management (SAM) & License Compliance (BPAEAOAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

IP Management, Patents & Trademark Software (BPAEAPAN), Records Management, Information Governance & Retention (BPAEAPAO), Standards Development & Publishing (SDOs, Technical Standards) (MPAJACAB)

Keywords

• Software copyright protection
• Software asset management
• Software license compliance
• Copyright registration services
• Software escrow services

Headquarters

HQ city

Seoul

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. CSAM Certification Services: Fees for software asset management certification services for enterprises and institutions, based on ISO/IEC 19770-1 standards.
2. C-SAM Qualification Testing and Certification: Revenue from national certification exams for Software Asset Manager at Level 1 and Level 2. Level 2 exam fee is 50,000 KRW; Level 1 exam fee is 100,000 KRW. Also includes certification management and education course fees.
3. SW Escrow Agency Services: SPC acts as an agent for software escrow contracts with the Korea Copyright Commission. New contract fee of 500,000 KRW and renewal fee of 250,000 KRW per year (excluding VAT).
4. Copyright Registration Agency Services: Copyright registration agency service for program works and all other copyrightable works. Fee of 250,000 KRW per registration (including copyright registration fee, excluding VAT). Discounted rate of 200,000 KRW per item for 2 or more applications.
5. Membership Fees: Annual membership fees from software companies and copyright holders. Enrollment fee of 1,000,000 KRW plus annual fee ranging from 1,000,000 to 3,000,000 KRW based on company size and revenue.
6. SMART Check Plus Subscription: Paid version of SMART Check software inspection tool. 6-month subscription at 3,300 KRW; 12-month subscription at 5,500 KRW (VAT included). Provides PDF/Excel export, license analysis, and advanced features beyond the free version.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Korea Software Copyright Association (SPC) delivers software copyright protection, software asset management (SAM), and copyright-related professional services to software companies, enterprises, and public institutions in Korea. Its flagship ©SAM offering integrates a proprietary software license database (SAM DB), agent-based inventory tooling, consulting, certification against ISO/IEC 19770-1, the C-SAM national qualification program, SMART Check inspection tools, copyright registration agency services, software escrow agency services, and an illegal software reporting service (Angel).

Product overview

Korea Software Copyright Association (SPC) operates a portfolio of software copyright protection and asset management products centered on its ©SAM brand. ©SAM is the core platform providing integrated software asset management across the entire purchase-to-disposal lifecycle, combining SAM DB (the authoritative software database used by Korean judicial authorities), SAM Tool (agent-based real-time monitoring), SAM Consulting/Audit/Compliance services, SAM Stay Current (ongoing management), and ©SAM Certification. Alongside ©SAM, SPC offers the C-SAM qualification program (nationally certified Level 2 and Level 1), SMART Check (free/paid software/font/malware scanner), copyright registration services, SW escrow services, Angel illegal software reporting, and software industry education programs. The portfolio is unified by SPC's position as the sole licensed software copyright protection organization authorized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ©SAM: Comprehensive software asset management service covering the entire lifecycle of software — purchase, distribution, operation, and disposal. Includes SAM DB (software database), SAM Tool (management solution), SAM Consulting (audit and compliance), and ©SAM certification.
• C-SAM (Software Asset Manager Certification)
• SMART Check
• Angel (불법제보)
• ©SAM 인증서비스

Products and services

• ©SAM (Integrated Software Asset Management Service) Comprehensive software asset management service covering the full lifecycle of software — purchase, distribution, operation, and disposal — integrating SAM DB, SAM Tool, consulting, certification, and ongoing management services for enterprises and institutions.
• SAM DB Korea's largest software database, used as the enforcement standard by judicial authorities including the Ministry of Culture's Special Judicial Police. Provides real-time auto-updated license information for major copyright holders, with approximately 300 new entries updated monthly.
• SAM Tool Agent-based real-time software asset management solution embedded with SAM DB, providing live software usage monitoring, illegal software installation prevention, identification, grouping, license management, and access control across Windows, Linux, Ms-SQL, MySQL, and Oracle environments.
• SAM Consulting Professional consulting service delivering comprehensive software usage and management audits based on ISO/IEC 19770-1 international standards, presenting tailored improvement plans including management documents, templates, and process standardization.
• SAM Audit Audit preparation and response service applying the audit methods of major copyright holders, offered in Standard, Premium, and Government tiers, to help organizations prepare for and prevent copyright disputes.
• SAM Compliance Precise comparison inspection service of software listed on company records versus actual usage status, enabling accurate identification of software held and used within an organization through comprehensive PC-level surveys.
• SAM Stay Current Year-round real-time software asset monitoring and management service including periodic inspections, objective result reports, free legal consultation, and employee training, with optional outsourcing for small organizations without dedicated staff.
• ©SAM Certification Service (CSAM Certification) Organization-level software asset management certification service authorized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Permit No. 2000-16), evaluating corporate SAM practices against ISO/IEC 19770-1 international standards and awarding a certification mark.
• C-SAM (Software Asset Manager Qualification) Nationally certified qualification program for software asset management professionals offered at Level 2 (nationally certified private qualification) and Level 1 (registered private qualification), with 12 academic credits under the Credit Bank System (as of October 2017).
• SMART Check Free and paid PC security tool that inspects installed software and font files using SAM DB, detects malware, provides installation alerts, and generates reports — with a paid SMART Check Plus tier adding SW license analysis and PDF/Excel export capabilities.
• Copyright Registration Agency Service Copyright registration agency service for program works and all other copyrightable works, providing registration for authors, works, publication dates, and copyright transfers, with effects including presumptive authorship, protection period extension, and statutory damages eligibility.
• Software Escrow Agency Service Software escrow service acting as an authorized escrow agent for source code and technical documentation under agreement with the Korea Copyright Commission, ensuring continued use and maintenance when a developer ceases business due to bankruptcy or disaster.
• Angel Illegal Software Reporting Service Service enabling individuals to report piracy (illegal use and illegal distribution/sales) to software copyright holders, with anonymous or identified filing options, and forwarding reports to rights holders and judicial authorities when requested.
• SW Education Program Software industry vocational training and talent development programs including government-supported Seoul Smart Job, Campus Town talent programs, and K-Digital Training, covering areas such as big data, AR/VR, blockchain, and AI.
• SPC Membership Annual membership program for software companies and copyright holders offering C-SAM exam fee support, SAM services, legal counseling, news clipping services, and cooperative letter distribution.

Quantifiable outcome

• SAM DB automatically updates approximately 300 new license entries monthly from copyright holders
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• 강원대학교 IP전문인력양성 중점대학사업단minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2023MOU signed in November 2023 for cultivating IP (intellectual property) professionals through specialized university programs.
• 숭실대학교 법과대학minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022MOU signed in 2022 with Soonchunhyang University College of Law for cooperation in legal education and copyright-related academic programs.
• 중앙대학교 산업보안학과minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022MOU signed in 2020 with Chung-Ang University's Department of Industrial Security for academic cooperation in software and copyright protection fields.
• 전력전자학회 (Power Electronics Society)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022MOU signed in 2022 with the Korean Institute of Power Electronics for cooperation in activating ©SAM certification services.
• 지식재산 컨퍼런스 (Intellectual Property Conference)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2021SPC co-hosted the Intellectual Property Conference in October 2021 as part of its knowledge property policy activities.
• 한국저작권보호원 (Korea Copyright Protection Agency)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2021MOU signed in 2017 with the Korea Copyright Protection Agency for cooperation in protecting the software ecosystem and copyright environment.
• 한국과학창의재단 (Korea Foundation for Science and Creativity)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2019MOU signed in December 2019 for cooperation in science and creative education programs.
• 한국SW-ICT연합회 (Korea SW-ICT Association)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2019MOU signed in December 2019 for cooperation in software industry development and copyright protection.
• SPC-공공발주자협의회 (Public Orderers Council)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2018MOU signed in November 2018 with the Public Orderers Council for cooperation in promoting proper software procurement practices in the public sector.
• SPC-스타트업CSR 브랜드소사이어티 (Brand Society)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2018MOU signed in July 2018 with Brand Society for startup software copyright protection initiatives.
• SPC-한국SW산업협회 KOSA (Korea Software Industry Association)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2018MOU signed in April 2018 with KOSA for cooperation in software copyright protection and the development of the software industry.
• SPC-한국YWCA연합회 (Korea YWCA Union)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2018MOU signed in February 2018 with the Korea YWCA Union for social contribution activities related to software copyright protection.
• 대검찰청 (Supreme Prosecutors' Office)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012MOU signed in 2011 for cooperation in software copyright protection enforcement. SPC provides technical support to prosecutors' investigations of software copyright infringement cases.
• 대한예수교장로회총회 (Presbyterian Church of Korea)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012MOU signed in 2011 with the Presbyterian Church of Korea for promoting software copyright awareness and genuine software usage.
• 경찰수사연수원 (Korean Police Investigation Academy)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2011MOU signed for cooperation in software copyright protection education and training for law enforcement personnel. SPC provides technical expertise for police investigation training.
• 문화체육관광부 (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2010Ongoing government partnership for software copyright protection policy. SPC participates in ministerial meetings and contributes to policy development for copyright protection in the software industry.
• BSA (Business Software Alliance)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2009Ongoing international cooperation with BSA, a global software industry organization, for software copyright protection. SPC staff visited USTR (US Trade Representative) in 2004 and 2002 alongside BSA to discuss trade issues related to software copyright protection.
• 중국 CSA-일본 ACCS (China Software Alliance & Japan Association of Copyright for Computer Software)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2007Joint MOU signed in 2007 between SPC, China's CSA, and Japan's ACCS for international cooperation in copyright protection for computer software.
• 영국 FAST (Federation Against Software Theft)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2006MOU signed in 2006 with the UK's FAST organization for international cooperation in software anti-piracy efforts and best practice sharing.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• BSA (Business Software Alliance): Global trade association representing the software industry and leading international software copyright enforcement and anti-piracy advocacy. SPC has held an ongoing international cooperation MOU with BSA since 2009, including joint advocacy at USTR hearings, making BSA the closest international counterpart.
• International Association of Information Technology Asset Managers (IAITAM): International professional association for IT asset management, including SAM certification and best-practice frameworks. Closest international peer to SPC's C-SAM and ©SAM Certification functions, focused on the same software asset management discipline.
• Korea Software Industry Association (KOSA / 한국SW산업협회): Korean software industry trade body. SPC signed a 2018 MOU with KOSA for cooperation on software copyright protection and industry development; both serve Korean software companies and share overlapping member ecosystems.

Broad incumbents

• Korea Copyright Protection Agency (한국저작권보호원): Government-affiliated Korean organization tasked with broader copyright protection (not software-specific). SPC maintains a 2017 MOU with KCOPA for software ecosystem cooperation; KCOPA handles the wider copyright portfolio while SPC focuses on software.
• Korea Copyright Commission (한국저작권위원회): Government copyright mediation and policy body in Korea. SPC operates as an authorized agency under the Korea Copyright Commission for software escrow services, indicating a direct governance and operational relationship.
• ISACA: Global professional association for IT governance, risk, and compliance including SAM-adjacent certifications. Comparable in operating a nationally/internationally recognized credentialing program and serving enterprise compliance buyers.
• Software Publishers Association / SIIA (Software & Information Industry Association): US-based trade association for the software and information industry, historically active in software piracy enforcement. Operates as a broader software industry body with overlapping anti-piracy and IP protection interests.

Regional players

• Federation Against Software Theft (FAST): UK-based anti-software-piracy organization. SPC signed a 2006 MOU with FAST for international cooperation in software anti-piracy and best-practice sharing, making FAST a direct functional peer in a different geography.
• Japan Association of Copyright for Computer Software (ACCS): Japanese software copyright protection organization. SPC, China's CSA, and Japan's ACCS jointly signed a 2007 trilateral MOU for international copyright cooperation, making ACCS a near-direct functional peer.
• China Software Alliance (CSA): Chinese counterpart for software copyright protection. Joined SPC and ACCS in the 2007 trilateral MOU for international cooperation in software copyright enforcement.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCnLVpODBHbVq4R4U-bysGUw/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/spc.sm

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Korea Software Copyright Association