Annual Technical Report 2011 on Industrial Design Information Activities submitted by Republic of Korea (CWS/ATR/ID/2011/KR)
Where URLs are requested below, it is preferred that either URLs which are likely to remain stable over time (three years or more) are provided, or home (main) page URLs are provided with a short explanation of how to access the corresponding information.
The expression "industrial designs" covers industrial designs and models. Offices which issue design patents should report their design patent information activities in this series of Annual Technical Reports.
I. Evolution of registration activities
Changes experienced in terms of application filings and grants (registrations) with respect to the previous year
In 2011, the number of applications for industrial designs was 58,571, a 1.1% decrease from the previous year (when measured on a multiple class basis), while the number of registered industrial designs was 43,634, representing a 24% increase compared to that of the previous year.
Trends or areas experiencing rapid changes with respect to the previous year
Applications for industrial design have been decreasing, while registrations have been increasing consecutively since 2010.
URLs of web pages of the Office’s website that provide statistics related to industrial designs
http://www.kipo.go.kr/kpo/user.tdf?a=user.english.html.HtmlApp&c=97000&catmenu=ek07_03_01
II. Matters concerning the generation, reproduction, and distribution of industrial design documents and of secondary sources of industrial design information, i.e., official gazettes
Publishing, including printing, copying techniques and electronic printing
Gazette publication
Since July 2001, PDF gazettes of industrial designs have been published on a daily basis and made available on the website of the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) (http://www.kipo.go.kr) for three months from the date of publication. In addition, DVD-ROM versions, which include the same publications in XML and PDF formats, are distributed to 29 domestic/foreign organizations, twice a month. In 2011, 41,548 industrial design applications and registered industrial designs were published on the website and on DVD-ROMs.
Digitization Center (Data Conversion Center)
In January 2001, KIPO began operating the Digitization Center for digitizing paper-based applications and subordinate documents such as amendments, written opinions, objections, as well as registration and trial-related documents at both its Daejeon headquarters and its Seoul branch office. The center automatically receives applications, performs formality checks and data conversions on them. Delays and errors during the conversion process are avoided through the use of state-of-the-art technologies, such as, Multi OCR, dual key-inputs, automated verification of electronic data, and color-scanning technology for documents attached to applications. In 2011, the Center digitized 442,755 documents, which were a combination of 1,098 different kinds of paper-based documents, including 2,735 applications for industrial designs.
Data Management Center
Since May 2002, KIPO has been operating the Data Management Center to provide high-quality data services. The center is responsible for generating data and processing and fixing any errors found in KIPO’s internal database. In 2011, its main activities were as follows:
• Database building: approximately 2.12 million domestic/foreign industrial design documents
• Publication: 42,000 industrial design gazettes on the Internet
• Dissemination: 14.1 million documents of industrial designs to domestic/foreign organizations
Main types of announcements of the Office in the field of industrial design information
KIPO’s Website (http://www.kipo.go.kr)
KIPO’s main announcements for industrial design information are usually made through its website . Visitors of the website can refer to the PDF gazettes mentioned above and subscribers of the mailing service are provided with the gazettes relating to their interests. Other key information announced at KIPO’s website is as follows:
• Announcements about notifications that couldn’t be delivered to applicants, due to the changes in their postal address without informing KIPO
• Advance notice on industrial designs expiring due to the non-payment of fees
• Other notices, such as changes in laws or fees
Databases and office automation
With the launch of the KIPOnet system in 1999, Industrial Property Right (IPR) administrative processes have been computerized, including the receiving, examining, granting of applications. The system also facilitates the sending of examination results to applicants via email and SMS, publishing of official gazettes on the Internet, and handling most registration and opposition procedures online. Below are some remarkable developments thereafter:
• 2003-2005 (migration to KIPOnet II): Integrated and re-designed legacy subsystems, architectures, databases as well as the adoption of middleware and workflows; integrated networks and strengthened security facilities such as EAM, ESM, and SSO; launched a 24/7, nonstop e-filing service, a work-at-home examination system, and a real-time notification service.
• 2007-2008: Through the WEB-PASS service, launched in November 2007, all types of IPR applications including industrial designs are filed on the web through KIPO's homepage and in 2008, for the convenience of users, the WEB-PASS service was configured to enable applicants to submit documents related to registration, trial or other intermediate processes online. In addition, KIPO started mailing automatic notifications to applicants.
• 2009: The e-filing portal was updated to help applicants prepare and transmit 3D design applications, toward customer-oriented services. In addition, existing filing editors were integrated with a commercial MS-WORD-based editor including an enhanced fee payment system.
• 2010-2011 (migration to KIPOnet III): Launched a 24/7, nonstop examination system and an intelligent search system to assist more efficient prior art searches; started providing convenient functionalities for examinations such as drawing interpretation, electronic memos, and a citation analyzing tool; built a Server Based Computing (SBC) environment to prevent document leakages; and adopted up-to-date IT technologies such as government-standard framework, UTF-8 character set, and JAVA.
URLs of web pages of the Office’s website that provide access to online industrial design gazettes and to other sources of industrial design information, including download of bulk industrial design data
http://www.kipo.go.kr/kpo/user.tdf?a=user.html.HtmlApp&c=4015&catmenu=m04_03_04
http://eng.kipris.or.kr/
III. Matters concerning classifying, reclassifying and indexing of industrial design information according to the classification systems applied
Classification and reclassification activities; Classification system used, e.g., International Classification for Industrial Designs (Locarno Classification), other classification (please indicate whether industrial designs are classified by your Office and, if so, which classification is used)
KIPO uses the Korean Article Classification System for Industrial Designs. It is a unique system comprising of 13 categories and 75 main classes. Although KIPO has yet to adopt the Locarno Classification for examination activities, it cross-references the 9th edition of the Locarno Classification on official gazettes. Search indexes such as design classification, applicant name, application number/date, publication number/date and registration number/date are used.
IV. Search file establishment and upkeep
File building
KIPO has a database of industrial designs, comprised of bibliographic data and images of industrial design applications dating back to 1960, including gazette data of registered industrial designs onto the Industrial Design Search System. The database also includes foreign data collected from the design gazettes of the JPO, WIPO and OHIM and continues to be updated for the improvement of examination quality. As of the end of 2011, it totaled 35.1 million documents comprising of 22.6 million domestic design documents and 12.4 million foreign design documents.
Storage, including mass storage media
Industrial design data is stored on disks either in Text, TIFF or SGML/XML format.
Documentation from other offices maintained and/or considered part of the available search file
In addition to the searchable data introduced under the file building and updating section above for easy public access, the official gazettes of CA, CN, GB, RU, TH and TW are also available at KIPO’s IP Digital Library on microfilm, roll film and tape cartridge.
V. Activities in the field of computerized search systems for industrial designs
In-house systems (online/offline)
Industrial Design Search System
The Industrial Design Search System enables KIPO’s examiners to electronically retrieve domestic and foreign data, including gazettes, design catalogues, and typefaces from Korea, Japan and WIPO. It provides bibliographic data, images, and SGML/XML data. The system features an electronic folding screen system that compares examination results with reference searches on two monitors. Due to its convenient interface, examiners can easily move to the Examination System to prepare a notification and send it to an applicant in real time soon after the examiner finishes retrieving relevant designs, etc. The major improvements and additions to the Industrial Design Search System in 2011 are as follows:
• A function of searching for animated designs
• A function of searching for ‘examination know-how’ for industrial designs
• A function of bookmarking in the examination screen for industrial designs
• A function of confirming whether an industrial design has been terminated or not, on the search result screen
Online Work-at-Home System
Since March 2005, a remote online work-at-home examination system has supported examiners who volunteer to work from home. They are enabled to securely access the KIPOnet system from the comfort of their homes through a VPN, fingerprint identification system, and a government public key infrastructure (GPKI). To prevent the leakage of undisclosed documents, Digital Rights Management (DRM) technology has been incorporated into the system. In an effort to make the work-at-home system more efficient and better managed, a new system was developed and incorporated into the work-at-home system in 2008. The new system facilitates the receiving of applications online from prospective work-at-home examiners, recording of their work hours and the management of the list of undisclosed documents. As of the end of 2011, two design examiners were benefiting from this system.
Administrative management systems (e.g., register, legal status, statistics and administrative support)
KIPOnet has many sub-systems that support managing data produced during the various phases of the IPR administrative processes, such as, dealing with matters that originate in the transfer of data from one phase to another and streamlining search-related administration. Below are some of those sub-systems:
General Information Management Subsystem
The General Information Management Subsystem generates a variety of statistical and policy data on industrial designs as well as trademarks, patents and utility models by using a variety of information retained by KIPO’s databases. The system efficiently manages large volumes of data and provides end-users with various functions and tools.
Electronic Approval and Routing Subsystem
The Electronic Approval and Routing Subsystem enables electronic approval of IPR and general administration processes. The system is comprised of two major parts: an approval system for IPR examinations, introduced with the KIPOnet system in 1999, and an approval system for general administration, launched in June 2000. The approval system for general administration was upgraded in January 2004 and replaced with the Onnara System in January 2007. The Electronic Approval and Routing Subsystem is used for the following:
• Electronic approval: preparation, approval, dispatch, and receipt of electronic documents, management of a document box, and circulation of documents
• Electronic mail: preparation, transmission, receipt, and management of emails
• Electronic bulletin board: for the submission of posts and reviews
• Management and preservation of records
The system has a pop-up window feature, which shows messages on the approval status of documents and can be used for managing individual schedules. The electronic approval system was used for 99.66% of all of the documents approved in 2011.
Knowledge Oasis
For the efficient management of a variety of knowledge and information created by KIPO staff, the Knowledge Management System was launched in October 2001 and was renamed Knowledge Oasis (KOASIS) in 2006. KOASIS supports KIPO staff members in sharing knowledge through the bulletin board of the KOASIS website. Furthermore, it offers a keyword search function for gleaning details of approved documents and allows them to utilize various management tools, such as knowledge maps, knowledge warehouses, personalized portals, and cyber knowledge communities. In addition, the system enables KIPO to share ideas and knowledge with 18 external R&D institutes including the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute through an online Q&A communication corner. Some high quality information posted on KOASIS is available to the public through KIPO’s homepage and private search portals like Naver. Since November 2007, it has also been linked to the Government’s Knowledge Management System for more extended information sharing between government agencies. In 2008, a ‘WIKI Corner’ and a multi-dimensional knowledge map were built for more efficient use of KOASIS and in 2010, an integrated search function of the accumulated knowledge and a trade function of knowledge “mileage” were added to KOASIS.
Equipment used (hardware, including the types of terminal and network used, and software), data carriers used
Hardware
As of the end of 2011, KIPOnet had 46 UNIX Enterprise servers, 76 NT servers, and 89 Linux servers. For higher availability, individual servers are clustered for the e-filing system, IPR administration system, search system, and particularly between the Homepage Server and the Portal Server. In case of system failures, the cluster paired systems temporarily substitute for each other. The combined storage capacity of the 27 servers is 1,055 terabytes including 12 SANs. The peripherals consist of 6 backup devices, 2 jukeboxes and 460 sets of network equipment. The improvements made in terms of hardware performance in 2011 are as follows:
• Introduction of new IT resources for KIPOnet III: 12 servers
• Establishment of a Server-Based Computing (SBC) environment: 65 servers and 4 disks
• Improvement of the stability of the public search services: a 85% decrease in the disk busy rate (from 100% to 15%)
• System optimization for the improvement of HP-UX systems by fine-tuning 221 items including servers, memories, processes, and files
• Inspection of the availability of administration systems/search systems/homepage systems through server-duplexing tests
• Improvement of the security of KIPOnet system through the installation of a security patch
Network
KIPO’s activities to enhance network and security for the KIPOnet system in 2011 include:
• Improvement of transmission speed enough to be perceptible by users (100M→1GB)
• Upgrading and introduction of the IP address management tools (V3.5.4→XE5.0)
• Replacement of outdated network equipment: L2 Switch (18 sets), L3 Switch (2 sets)
• Regular dual test for more stable operation of network equipment including communication lines
• SBC networking configuration for KIPOnet III: L4 Switch (4 sets), L3 Switch (4 sets)
Software
For databases, performance tests and recovery practice tests are regularly conducted with support from Oracle. In addition, KIPO introduces and upgrades system software such as DBMS, web servers and middleware to improve the KIPOnet system’s performance and functionality. As of the end of 2011, about 239 commercial software applications were in use. The software applications can be grouped into three major groups, as follows:
• 189 perpetual-licensed software including DBMS and web servers
• 15 subscription-licensed software including Vi Robot and other security products
• 35 packaged software for KOASIS, web mail, messenger, performance management system, electronic approval system, career development management system, Call Center, DW, Homepage portal, ITA/EA, DQM, open-end statistics portal, and e-filing portal
VI. Administration of industrial design information products and services available to the public (relating to facilities, e.g., for lodging applications, registering designs, assisting clients with search procedures, obtaining official publications and registry extracts)
Planning, administration, automation, security
The Information Policy Bureau organizes comprehensive services for the public by managing the IP Digital Library and the e-Filing Portal System, while other departments support customers according to their duties and responsibilities.
e-Filing Portal System
The e-Filing Portal System was established to transform KIPO’s website into an online service portal for the online community. Owing to this service, applicants can file their applications online and pay relevant fees via Internet banking and they are informed of the legal status of their applications via e-mail and/or SMS. They can also request and receive certificates such as priority certificates via the Internet and check the progress of their request. In addition, a public service for informing applicants of the time of their applications’ examination in advance, has been made available since October 2006. Moreover, individual applicants can be informed of the status of their application via email or SMS, while enterprises through a HTML-based service titled “How is my application going?” while universities, institutes and IP law firms can do the same through a SOAP-based web service. This e-Filing Portal System is linked to the WEB-PASS, which is a web-based e-filing system used for receiving intermediate documents and registration/trial-related documents, as well as all kinds of IPR applications. Furthermore, in 2010, 12 kinds of mobile applications were introduced into this System in accordance with the rapid proliferation of smart phone users. In 2011, for users’ convenience, the e-filing software suite was unified, along with the improvement of the ‘Help’ function.
IP Digital Library
The IP Digital Library located at KIPO’s headquarters supports its customers by enabling them to search for industrial design information in a variety of formats including online, microfilm, and paper, as well as of journals and magazines the Library has. They could also order copies of published applications for industrial designs as filed.
Customer Service Center
To integrate scattered counseling resources and promptly provide technical advice, the Customer Service Center was established in March 2002. Its main services are on the following issues:
• Procedural and technical advice on (electronic) filing, examination, registration, trial, search and use of design information
• Use of the Expert System (e-filing support system) and remote consultation
• Consultation through mobile Web/App or Twitter
• Angel Call service to inform applicants in advance that their applications will be cancelled, suggesting reasonable solutions
Security
In terms of security, the digital signature of electronic documents is used based on a public key infrastructure for encryption and decoding. 24/7 Enterprise Security Management has been introduced for security equipment and servers. Also, a key logger security and a hacking-diagnostic system are used for protecting PCs against other risks, such as spyware; and a single sign-on system has been implemented for tighter security in accordance with the standardized Directory Access Protocol. Diverse security tools have been used to block illegal access to undisclosed databases and unauthorized access to the main database.
Particularly, SBC was introduced to enhance the security of Industrial Design information. Against external attack threats, network based security systems such as UTM, Firewall, IPS, and VPN have been utilized. The extended application of SecureOS is also useful for authorization control to servers.
KIPOnet won the ISO 27001 certification in 2006, recognizing its highly secure web services for applicants, SecureOS for servers, individual information protection marks, and secure site mark. Accordingly, among government departments, KIPO has consecutively won the top spot in security assessment (from 2007 to 2011) and in personal information protection (from 2008 to 2011).
Collection management, preservation
IP Library
The IP Digital Library archives industrial design documents, such as, bibliographic data, abstracts and full texts collected from five countries and one international organization in a variety of media such as, paper, microform and CD-ROM/DVD-ROM. The library also possesses 9,082 volumes of journals, four kinds of catalogues including Elegance and Spiegel.
Information services available to the public (including computerized services and search files contained in libraries remote from your Office and industrial design information posted by your Office on the World Wide Web)
Korea Industrial Property Rights Information Service (KIPRIS)
Since January 2001, domestic industrial design information has been made available free-of-charge through KIPRIS at http://www.kipris.or.kr: bibliographic data (in text format from 1948), images (in JPG format from 1948), and gazette data (in TIFF format from 1964 to 1997 and in PDF/XML from 1998 onwards). This service also covers up-to-date information on the legal status of applications for industrial designs and statistical information. In terms of its functions, the service offers a view function for hexagonal drawings, a Korean to English (and English to Korean) translation service, sorting function for search results, and popular search queries.
URLs of web pages of the Office's website for electronic filing of industrial design applications
http://www.patent.go.kr
URLs of web pages of the Office’s website that provide information on business procedures such as: filing, publication, examination and registration procedures related to industrial designs; opposition and appeal procedures related to industrial designs; etc.
http://www.kipo.go.kr/kpo/user.tdf?a=user.html.HtmlApp&c=10004&catmenu=m04_01_06
http://www.kipo.go.kr/kpo/user.tdf?a=user.english.html.HtmlApp&c=93001&catmenu=ek04_01_02
URLs of web pages of the Office’s website that provide a description of information products and services offered by the Office (e.g., industrial design search service(s) and industrial design databases), as well as information on how to access and utilize them
http://www.kipris.or.kr
VII. Matters concerning mutual exchange of industrial design documentation and information
International or regional cooperation in the exchange of industrial design information, e.g., in the form of official gazettes
KIPO distributes its official gazettes on industrial designs via DVD to 19 Industrial Property Offices (IPOs) including the AU, CA, DE, FR, IT, JP, PH, SE, SG, and US. KIPO also receives official gazettes on CDs from IPOs, such as, the JP, RO, RU, and WIPO.
VIII. Matters concerning education and training, including technical assistance to developing countries (please indicate URLs of web pages of the Office’s website wherever appropriate)
Promotional activities (seminars, exhibitions, visits, advertising, etc.)
2011 Trademark-Design Exhibition (December 2011)
Since 2006, KIPO has been holding an annual trademark and design exhibition for raising public awareness of the importance of trademarks and designs as intellectual property rights. The event for 2011 focused on successful management strategies for trademarks and designs to strengthen the competitiveness of interested enterprises. As with last year’s, the exhibition displayed themes such as the Brand Explanation, New Trends in Trademarks and Designs, Best Brand Contest Award, Original/Counterfeit Experience, Trademark/Design Rights Conflict Cases, Domestic Design Characters, and an event plaza.
Training courses for national and foreign participants
International Intellectual Property Training Institute
In 1987, the International Intellectual Property Training Institute (IIPTI) was established in Seoul as an affiliate of KIPO. It initially offered 11 IPR training courses. In February 1991, it moved to the Daedeok Science Valley in Daejeon with the support of WIPO and the United Nations Development Programme. In 2011, the IIPTI ran 13 courses for foreign trainees of the total 71 different courses including international seminars and training courses in conjunction with WIPO and the Korea International Cooperation Agency and customized training courses for 183 trainees from approximately 30 countries including Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam.
IX.Other general information related to the Office that is available on the Internet -- URLs of web pages of the Office’s website that:
provide information on legislation related to industrial designs
http://www.kipo.go.kr/kpo/user.tdf?a=user.html.HtmlApp&c=3031&catmenu=m02_02_01
http://www.kipo.go.kr/kpo/user.tdf?a=user.english.html.HtmlApp&c=60201&catmenu=ek07_02_01
contain the Annual Report of the Office
http://www.kipo.go.kr/kpo/user.tdf?a=user.html.HtmlApp&c=3072&catmenu=m02_04_04
http://www.kipo.go.kr/kpo/user.tdf?a=user.english.html.HtmlApp&c=60111&catmenu=ek07_01_01
contain industrial design-related news regarding the Office
http://www.kipo.go.kr/kpo/user.tdf?a=user.english.board.BoardApp&board_id=kiponews&c=1001&catmenu=ek06_01_01
X. Other relevant matters