Annual Technical Report 2002 on Trademark Information Activities submitted by Republic of Korea (SCIT/ATR/TM/2002/KR)
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I. Evolution of registration activities
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In 2002, the number of trademark applications climbed to 107,876 from 107,137 in 2001, an increase of 0.7 percent, while the number of registered trademarks climbed to 40,588 from 33,683 in 2001, an increase of 20.5 percent.
Of domestic enterprises, Amore Pacific filed the largest number of applications (1,142) and was granted the largest number of registrations (754). Of foreign companies, Novartis AG ranked first in applications with 78, while Sumitomo Corp. ranked first in registrations with 117.
Trends or areas experiencing rapid changes with respect to the previous year
Numeral mark
The number of applications for numeral marks has increased because numerals are more impressive and implicative than letters. Before 1996, the number was about two hundred annually. However, the number started to increase in 1996, and between 1999 and 2002 the annual number was more than a thousand.
II. Matters concerning the generation, reproduction, and distribution of secondary sources of trademark information, i.e., trademark gazettes
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Gazette publication
• Hard copy: Until April 1998, hard copies of the Trademark Gazettes were published two or three times a month, two or three months after the publication date, and were disseminated to the general public by mail for public inspection of applications.
• CD-ROM: From May 1998 to June 2001, the Trademark Gazettes were published on CD-ROM with a mixed-mode data format and a user-friendly interface using the EPO’s Mimosa software, and they were distributed inside and outside the country. The CD-ROM gazette was issued in PDF format with SGML data. It included a Korean language font for foreign users and supported English installation for users with an English operating system. The Korean language version of the Adobe Acrobat Reader had to be installed for making gazette inquiries.
• Internet: In July 2001, KIPO began posting daily PDF gazettes on its Web site. This on-line version has replaced the CD-ROM version though a master CD-ROM of each publication is archived. With this IT breakthrough, KIPO expeditiously and inexpensively provides information to its customers while cutting down publication expenses and allowing users easy access to information via the Internet.
Data Conversion Center
In January 2001, KIPO began operating the Data Conversion Center for digitizing paper-based applications for patents, utility models, trademarks and industrial designs, along with intermediate documents such as amendments, written opinions, objections, registrations, trials and paper-based gazettes at its Daejeon headquarters and the Seoul branch office; the Seoul office receives 70 percent of all applications. In 2002, the center digitized 324 kinds of paper-based documents, totaling 407,809 items; the average digitization period has been shortened from 20.7 days in 2001 to 4.2 days.
Main types of announcements of the Office in the field of trademark information
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Since its launch, the KIPOnet system has been continually improved through the development of its subordinate systems. Computerized searches and on-line examinations have streamlined KIPO’s internal administrative processes; and electronic applications have enhanced the transparency of KIPO’s approval process.
KIPO now communicates examination results to applicants via the Internet or mobile telecommunication service; it also publishes official gazettes on the Internet and handles most registration and opposition procedures on-line. In addition, by developing the On-line Trial System in 2002, KIPO has now computerized all IPR administrative procedures except for the parts that require human judgment.
Thanks to KIPOnet’s efficiency in intellectual property (IP) administration, KIPO was awarded first prize ahead of other Korean government agencies in the 2002 Public Sector Innovation Contest.
On-line Trial System
KIPO began to set up its On-line Trial System in March 2002 and launched it in July of the same year. The system has improved KIPO’s customer service level by enabling IPR trials, along with the transfer of relevant documents, to be administered on-line through a link to the examination system.
On-line Registration Request System
On-line payment of the initial fee, registration fee and annual registration fee has been possible through Internet banking since the launch of KIPOnet in 1999. With the completion of the On-line Registration Request System in July 2002, other official fees can now be paid on-line; for example, the fees related to the change of content in the register and transfer of rights such as exclusive or non-exclusive licenses.
On-line Opposition Request System
With the commencement of the On-line Opposition Request System in July 2002, anybody can submit an opposition to an application after the application has been laid open for public inspection. Furthermore, KIPO examiners can use this system to confirm and give a final decision on proceedings involving oppositions to registrations and petitions to cancel registrations. As a result, this system helps reduce the examination period and it minimizes the risk of losing documents during their transfer.
On-line Certificate Issuance System
Since December 2002, KIPO has issued certificates in real time through its Web site. This service allows applicants to request and receive various kinds of certificates on-line and to check the progress of their requests. The kinds of documents the service now handles have increased from 13 to 15.
Electronic Approval and Routing System
KIPO’s Electronic Approval and Routing System has enabled electronic approval for IPR administration and general administration. The system comprises two major parts: an approval system for IPR examinations, which was introduced with the KIPOnet system in 1999; and an approval system for general administration, which was launched in June 2000. In 2002, the ratio of electronic approval was 99.1 percent. The system has been used for the following:
• Electronic approval: preparation, approval, dispatch and receipt of electronic documents, management of document box, and the circulation of documents.
• Electronic mail: preparation, transmission, receipt, and management of e-mail.
• Electronic board: posting and reading notices on an electronic board.
• Management of records: preservation of records.
Madrid Protocol Automation System
To fulfill its role as an office of origin and a designated office under the Madrid Protocol, KIPO established the Madrid Protocol Automation System. The system allows applicants to electronically file an international application under the Madrid Protocol and it automates all procedures within KIPO including formality checking, sending applications to WIPO, and receiving results from WIPO. In 2003, the system will be developed to handle matters related to international trademark changes and trials.
Techniques used for the generation of trademark information (printing, recording, photocomposing, etc.)
Data Management Center
Since May 2002, KIPO has managed the Data Management Center. The center compiles high-quality data through systematic analysis; it generates and processes data, and fixes data errors. In 2002, data analysis was conducted on the following:
• Data generation: rejections of trademarks (188 cases from 1987 to 1998)
• Data analysis: to understand the causes of data errors and to prevent any delays or errors, KIPO analyzed data of trademarks in KIPOnet database and fixed some errors of them using SQL program.
III. Matters concerning classifying, reclassifying and indexing of trademark information
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Classification of goods and services
For the classification of goods and services, KIPO started to use the Nice Classification System in March 1998, and it officially became a party to the Nice Agreement in January 1999. In 2001, it completed the Korean translation of the 8th Nice publication, and in 2002, it began to incorporate the publication into its classification system.
To upgrade the quality and consistency of the classification for goods and services, KIPO organized a separate team for classifying figures. In the pursuit of greater fairness and objectivity, it also revised the examination guidelines and published a directory for classifying similar goods and services.
Classification of the figurative elements of marks
KIPO had been using its own unique standard for the classification of the figurative elements of marks but it started to use the Vienna Classification in October 1999. It began to organize its database in accordance with this new classification, and it has begun to apply the 4th Vienna classification.
Bibliographic data and processing for search purposes
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Trademark Database
KIPO constructed the Trademark Search System based on a database of bibliographical data, examined trademark images, registered applications and rejected applications. The system also contains referral information such as international pharmaceuticals, international place of origin, foreign trademarks, public marks and geographical indications. All this data is classified according to the Nice Classification, the Vienna Classification and the Similar Group Code depending on the type of trademark, letters, figures and designated products. The data is updated in a batch file periodically for easier text and image searches.
Storage, including mass storage media
Storage configuration
KIPOnet’s storage configuration is divided into two sections: IP administration and the search system. Since electronic applications are original copies and comprise the majority of the operating data, the storage of electronic applications is essential to the operation of the KIPOnet system. Consequently, KIPO has applied a mirroring of the Raid 1 method to the storage disk.
Search systems apply Raid S or Auto Raid according to the kind of storage disks. The Raid S method takes the parity up to 25 percent, which is the fundamental means for protecting data. Auto Raid, however, has automatic parity that can be adjusted to the volume of data.
V. Activities in the field of computerized trademark search systems
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Trademark Search System
Since its construction in September 1998, the Trademark Search System has been continually developed. The user-friendly system is independent of the Trademark Administrative System. Its new search engine helps users access the system efficiently through the image–pattern matching engine and the facility for extensive searches of homonyms and homophones. These features allow examiners to efficiently search image data and trademarks with similarly pronounced names.
In 2002, the system was enhanced to optimize the work environment of examiners and to improve the efficiency of trademark examinations. It was supplemented with referral data such as public marks, and was linked to the automated trademark examination system.
Administrative management systems (e.g., register, legal status, statistics, administrative support, etc.)
With the establishment of the KIPOnet system, all IPR administrative procedures have been automated. KIPO uses the following subsidiary systems of KIPOnet to manage the data produced in each phase of the procedure, to deal with matters that originate in the transfer of data to the next phase, and to speed up the administration of searches:
General Information Management System
The General Information Management System outputs a variety of statistical and policy data related to various types of industrial property such as patents, utility models, trademarks and industrial designs. It does this by using a variety of information retained by KIPO in database form. The system’s tools efficiently manage large-volume data and provide various features for end-users.
Data Management System
The Data Management System simplifies the procedure for correcting users’ input errors and for changing data in the old systems. It maintains a history of data changes, and guarantees correct data changes to promptly meet the requests of applicants and KIPO departments.
Applied Process Monitoring System
The Applied Process Monitoring System aims to prevent problems caused by delays in work processing. It also provides information on the problem-managing status according to application type and application form. The system analyzes the cause of problems and establishes measures to handle them.
Quality Management System
KIPO has strengthened the function of the KIPOnet Quality Management System introduced in December 2000. The system enhances work productivity by establishing standardized processes; it enables efficient use of resources through systematic process management; it also balances the workload of individuals with the workload of developers through a coordinated distribution of workloads among departments. Moreover, it facilitates efficient quality management and process improvement through continual inspection of the system and improvements in customer satisfaction.
In November 2001, KIPO was granted an ISO9001 Certificate by the Korean Foundation for Quality for its development, management and servicing of the KIPOnet system. This certificate assures that KIPO will maintain the excellent reliability and credibility of the system.
Knowledge Management System
The Knowledge Management System facilitates the sharing of information among staff members through integrated management of a variety of information and intellectual property held by KIPO. It also provides this information optionally through personalized portals. The system is dedicated to the efficient management of the knowledge and information retained by KIPO. It helps activate knowledge management by improving the productivity of IP administrative processes through the existing evaluation and reward system for knowledge-based activities.
By the end of 2002, KIPO had posted about seven thousand individual items of information on relevant Web sites, foreshadowing the construction of an infrastructure for knowledge management. The Web sites were searched 6,000 times per month. In addition, on four occasions KIPO awarded 150 of its staff for adopting mileage of its use.
Information strategic plan for developing KIPOnet II
To cope with rapid changes in the technical and legal trends of the global IPR environment, KIPO formed a task force in early 2002 to set up an information strategy plan that would present the vision and direction of KIPOnet II. The new system is expected to include a 24x365 service to the public, a work-at-home system and a customized service for examiners. In 2003, the task force will analyze the requirements and design the system. To attain high efficiency and flexibility, KIPO is considering using cutting-edge IT such as integrated middleware and XML. KIPOnet II will be operational in 2005.
Equipment used (hardware, including the types of terminal and network used, and software), carriers used
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IP Library
The IP Library archives patent documents such as bibliographic data, abstracts and full texts in a variety of media such as paper, microform and CD-ROM. The documents are obtained through an exchange agreement with 26 countries and four international organizations. The collection of patent documents includes 10,277 CDs, 276,562 films, 103,299 volumes of paper documents and 725 DVDs from the USPTO and WIPO.
The library also possesses non-patent documents donated by or purchased from other sources. This material, which comprises 23,379 volumes and 500 periodicals related to science and technology, along with CD-ROMs of annual reports and statistics, is arranged by class or numerical order. All of this material can be searched by KIPO's examiners or by the public. An electronic database is provided at the Internet corner of the IP Library. The library also provides a service for purchasing copies of original electronic material such as electronic journals and e-books.
Information services available to the public (including computerized services and search files contained in libraries remote from your Office and trademark information posted by your Office on the World Wide Web)
e-Patent Portal System
KIPO established the e-Patent Portal System to transform KIPO's Web site into an on-line service for the cyber community. For on-line registration, applicants can get e-signatures and codes via the Internet.
Through a unified portal, all kinds of intellectual property can be filed on-line with the ease of sending e-mail. Customers can pay their fees through Internet banking; and they are informed of the legal status of their applications through e-mail or mobile phone. At KIPO’s Web site, they can also get diverse certificates and search IPR information. Moreover, “by one call or by one click” customers can get answers to most questions concerning intellectual property rights. This interactive process has overcome the limitation of the one-way notification system.
Enhancement of the Korea Industrial Property Rights Information Service
Since KIPI’s independence in December 2001, the Korea Industrial Property Rights Information Service (KIPRIS) has provided a specialized IPR information service. In 2002, free online access was provided for approximately twenty million items of IP information, including 11 million items of information from abroad. The number of users increased from 3.3 million in 2001 to 3.8 million in 2002.
Expansion and enhancement of local patent information support centers
To publicize the IPR system and disseminate IPR information on a national scale, KIPO set up 15 Local Patent Information Support Centers in 2000. These centers disseminate IPR information in areas where IT illiteracy is widespread, as well as in industrial complexes and SME-concentrated areas.
In 2002, seven new centers were established. This brought the total up from 18 centers in 2001 to 25 in 2002. The number of users climbed to 114,000 from 93,000 in 2001. Moreover, 7,343 participants received free IPR education through a local program, and a service was provided for local SMEs on analyzing patent information.
Call Center
To integrate scattered windows for counseling and promptly provide technical advice, KIPO established its Call Center in March 2002. The Call Center presents a single window of services to IP clients and KIPOnet users. IP procedures and technical advice are available via the telephone, email and on-line meetings. The Call Center was computerized with the incorporation of the Customer Relationship Management System. As a result, KIPO can accumulate clients' feedback for better policies and IT strategies for the future.
VII. Matters concerning mutual exchange of trademark documentation and information
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In the interest of exchange, KIPO provides the Official Gazette of Designs and Trademarks on CD-ROM for 23 countries and two international organizations, including the AU, CA, DE, ES, FR, GR, IR, IT, JP, PH, RU, SE, SG, TR, US and the EP. KIPO receives official gazettes in paper form or on CD-ROM from the US, BE and JP. It also receives trademark gazettes on CD-ROM from a few countries such as the LU, US and the BE.
Cooperation with WIPO on the Madrid Protocol
In 2002, KIPO and WIPO discussed the following topics with respect to the Madrid Protocol: the electronic exchange of relevant documents, interoperability between KIPOnet and WIPO’s automation system (MECA: Madrid Electronic CommunicAations), and relevant standards.
VIII. Matters concerning education and training including technical assistance to developing countries
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Presentation of the KIPOnet system at international events
In December 2002, KIPO held an international forum on Partnership Opportunities and Technical Cooperation on IP & IT. Participants from seven countries including Taiwan, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam discussed the overall environment of IP automation, the industrial and economic impact of IP automation, and the significance of disseminating patent information. At the forum, KIPO also outlined the beneficial effects of the KIPOnet system and the APEC Technical Cooperation Project proposed by KIPO.
KIPO reiterated the efficiency of the KIPOnet system at the following events:
• the international forum on innovation in the public sector, which was held in May 2002, with participants from 15 foreign countries including the USA, Great Britain and Canada
• the APEC e-government exhibition at Seoul in July 2002
• the annual EPIDOS conference in Copenhagen
• the Korea/Mercosour E-Government Seminar in Brazil in November 2002.
Training courses for national and foreign participants
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IX. Other relevant matters