Patent filings and PCT filings
Last year, the Korean Intellectual Property Office （KIPO） received roughly 210,000 new applications; this has been on a steady rise for six consecutive years.The number of PCT applications was 13,138 in 2014, a 5.6% increase year-on-year.
Prompt granting of rights
KIPO has simultaneously managed to reduce the pendency for patents to 11 months last year from 17 months in 2010, thus allowing businesses to quickly turn their innovative ideas into strong IPRs.
In 2014, 65% of Korean PCT International Search Reports were completed within the required three-month period, a remarkable improvement. KIPO plans to increase the rate to 80%.
Accuracy in examination
KIPO is focusing more on professional training for its staff and looking to facilitate consultations between examiners.
KIPO employs highly-skilled staff and experts, with many PhD holders, experienced technicians, and engineers as examiners. KIPO plans to add an additional 25 examiners this year and expands its examiner workforce gradually.
In January 2015, KIPO fully adopted the CPC and expected to see improved efficiency in its searches resulting in improvements to examination quality as a result.
KIPO is also working on improving the patent search system, which is a key part of examination. In 2014, KIPO launched Chinese-to-Korean machine translation and plans to develop the next generation search system this year.
Revision of Patent Act
KIPO has placed more focus on improving user convenience and protection for creative ideas.
Starting from 2015, KIPO has considerably eased the requirements for filing documents. Applicants are now allowed to submit dissertations, lab notes, or documents describing their ideas, which enables the quicker granting of rights. On top of that, the lab notes and content can be in English, and any English language dissertations can also be submitted.
Previously applicants were supposed to make amendments to the translations. After the revision, applicants need to amend the original specifications. By extending the deadline for submitting translations, KIPO has increased the convenience for applicants filing in foreign languages.
In addition, KIPO has eased the grace period requirements. After the change, applicants are afforded a grace period once they have declared their claims for one either before or at the time of registration. KIPO will continue to improve the Patent Act to ensure the accuracy of examination and the effectiveness of protecting issued patents.
KIPO is considering reducing the period for requesting examination to three years from the existing five years.
KIPO plans to make provisions that will allow patent examiners to re-examine an application if a legitimate ground for rejection is found in the application. KIPO is also considering the introduction of a program that would allow the public to review issued patents and, if found unqualified, request a cancellation of the rights.
Global cooperation in the IP field
KIPO is keen to work with the other IP5 offices to enhance work-sharing activities and to ensure a user-friendly patent system, which are fundamental to IP5 cooperation.
Also, KIPO is committed to working more closely with emerging countries and economies where awareness on IP protection is increasing.
KIPO, as a responsible member of the international IP community, will continue to expand its ODA to provide assistance through appropriate technology and branding to LDCs and developing countries.
（编辑：刘珊）
（中国知识产权报独家稿件，未经授权不得转载。）