Seaview Food Secures Manufacturing Secrets Through National Deposit

South Korean food company Seaview Food has taken a significant step to protect its proprietary manufacturing process for its key product, 'SB Chicken Breast Powder.' The company announced on July 15, 2026, that it has completed the national deposit of its core manufacturing technology with the Korea Cooperation Foundation for SMEs and Agriculture.

The 'Technology Deposit System' allows companies to safeguard their trade secrets by entrusting them to a neutral, third-party government institution. This method prevents the leakage of critical intellectual property while simultaneously establishing proof of the technology's originality. Seaview Food opted for this system over patenting, recognizing the unique nature of food ingredient development where subtle nuances in formulation, processing order, and temperature are crucial for product competitiveness.

Patenting requires public disclosure of the technology, which could risk imitation by competitors. The deposit system, conversely, allows Seaview Food to maintain its manufacturing secrets as trade secrets while still having an officially recognized record of its technological existence and ownership. This approach was developed through joint research with Korea University's Sejong Campus, with CEO Kim In-seop playing a key role in its commercialization during his master's studies.

Seaview Food has established a 'three-step trust structure' encompassing university joint research, formal technology transfer, and the national deposit. The company intends to leverage this secured intellectual property as evidence in potential disputes over technology ownership or leaks during future collaborations with domestic and international partners. It will also serve as a crucial document for technical due diligence processes when expanding into overseas markets like Japan, Southeast Asia, and the United States.