(Publ. 18 MAR 2015) There has been a considerable increase in the number of IP applications filed in Korea in 2014 while at the same time the time taken to acquire a registration has been reduced considerably, as presented in KIPO’s publication “2014 Examination and Trial Performance Report and Plans for 2015”.

More than 210,000 patent applications were filed with KIPO (Korean Intellectual Property Office), which is the fourth highest amount worldwide. About 150,000 trademark applications and 65,000 design applications were filed, which are the 7th and 3rd highest amounts worldwide. Compared to 2013, patent applications have increased by 2.8%, trademarks by 1.7% and designs by 3.9%.

KIPO expects to provide world-class, high quality examination services and to further reduce the pendency time of an application.

In July 2014 Korea joined the Hague system and since then 100 design applications have been filed by Korean firms and more than 1,000 design applications have been filed by foreign enterprises.

This increase in numbers is an indication of the growing IP awareness, and it particularly reflects the importance of design protection in Korea after the dispute between Samsung and Apple.

If you have any questions about IP in Korea, you are welcome to contact Patent Consultant Youngmi Chung at youngmi.chung@groth.eu or tel. +46 8 729 91 00.

More information at KIPO here