Annual Technical Report 2002 on Patent Information Activities submitted by Republic of Korea (SCIT/ATR/PI/2002/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 term "patent" covers utility models and Supplementary Protection Certificates (SPCs). Offices which issue design patents should report their design patent information activities in their Annual Technical Reports on Industrial Design Information Activities.
I. Evolution of patent activities
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In 2002, the number of patent applications was 106,136, a slight increase of 1.4 percent over the 104,612 applications of the previous year, while the number of patent registrations reached 45,298, a considerable increase of 30.6 percent over the previous year’s 34,675 registrations.
For utility models, however, the number of applications reached 39,193, a decrease of 4.0 percent over the 40,804 applications in 2001, while the number of registrations was 39,957, a decrease of 8.9 percent over the 43,842 registrations in 2001.
By industrial field, the electricity and communications field accounted for 53,226 applications or 50.5 percent of all patent applications, while the machinery field accounted for 9,033 applications or 23.1 percent of all utility model applications.
Among domestic enterprises, Samsung Electronics filed the largest number of applications (8,376) and was granted the largest number of registrations (3,833). Among foreign businesses, Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV ranked first in applications with 996, while International Business Machines Corp ranked first in registrations with 552.
Trends or areas experiencing rapid changes with respect to the previous year
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Gazette publication
• Hard copy: Until April 1998 hard copies of official gazettes were published two or three times a month and disseminated to the general public by mail for public inspection of applications. The official gazettes include the Registered Patents Gazette, the Registered Utility Model Gazette, the Unexamined Patents Gazette and the Unexamined Utility Models Gazette.
• CD-ROM: From May 1998 to June 2001, the official gazettes were integrated into two gazettes, namely the Unexamined Patents and Utility Models Gazette and the Registered Patents and Utility Models Gazette. These 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 patent information
KIPO’s Web site
On KIPO’s Web site, applicants can find information on the following:
• announcement of undelivered notifications due to an applicant’s change of address
• advance notice of patent expiry due to non-payment of fees
• other notices such as changes in laws or fees
Internet gazette search service
In July 2001, KIPO launched an Internet gazette search service at its Web site . After the publication date, applicants can freely refer to PDF documents via the Internet at any time during the opposition request period. Even after the opposition request period, they can find information on the Web site of the Korea Institute of Patent Information (KIPI) . KIPI is a specialized intellectual property rights (IPR) information service agent founded by KIPO in 1995. The search service enables applicants to be notified about their interests through a push-mail service.
To help correct the specifications or drawings of an application, KIPO has published the full text of the corrected applications on its Web site since November 2002, whereas previously it had only published relevant parts of the applications.
Word processing and office automation
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.
III. Matters concerning abstracting, classifying, reclassifying and indexing of technical information contained in patent documents
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KIPO permits applicants to file applications on-line, on paper or on floppy disk. All paper-based applications are converted into electronic format. Specifications and drawings submitted to KIPO, as well as bibliographical data on a floppy disk, are uploaded to the KIPOnet system.
For e-filing, applicants can easily prepare electronic documents in SGML format using software called Korean Electronic Applications Preparation Software (KEAPS), and then file their applications via the Internet. Launched in 1999, the e-filing software has been continually developed.
In December 2001, KIPO completed the development of a state-of-the -art Web-based editor for form processing. As a result, applicants can make electronic documents with a commercial word processor such as MS Word and Hangul (Hangul is the most popular word processing software which has been produced since late 1980s in Korea.), along with KEAPS. Revisions to relevant laws and regulations enabled a greater variety of documents to be filed on-line. With this improved public service, more than 95 percent of application forms can now be filed on-line. Furthermore, simpler preparation procedures have enabled applicants to more easily file applications through the KIPOnet system.
In February 2002, KIPO introduced a real-time service that issues digital signatures, which had formerly been issued off-line. KIPO has also been encouraging the widespread use of digital signatures by authorized organizations. The requirements for e-filing such as the assignment of an application code and the declaration of firest e-filing are now available on-line. In 2002, the e-filing rate for all IPRs climbed to an average of 83 percent from 74 percent in 1999. Significantly, 93.9 percent of patent applications were filed on-line.
Promotion and support for e-filing
To promote e-filing, KIPO conducted an awareness campaign that combined education, positive reinforcement, face-to-face contact, and PR via newspapers, e-mail, and posters.
KIPO also dispatched a troubleshooter to help applicants with their e-filing. This service is for patent attorneys and applicants, including legal entities and natural persons. The troubleshooter helps to solve problems related to the installation and use of e-filing software. In 2002, the troubleshooter was dispatched 326 times and provided on-the-spot help to 3059 applicants.
In addition, the Korean Invention Promotion Association and Local Patent Information Support Centers gave occassional explanatory meetings and free e-filing education on 201 occasions for more than 10,000 individuals.
Implementation of the Statement of Principles Concerning the Changeover to Electronic Data Carriers for the Exchange of Patent Documents (please provide a status report on the extent to which your Office has changed over to electronic data carriers for the exchange of patent documents)
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Technical Cooperation Project for developing countries
At the APEC Intellectual Property Rights Experts Group in March 2002, KIPO proposed a three-year IT project to support the IPOs of developing countries in the APEC region, namely, “Technical Cooperation Project of IP Automation in APEC Region”. It hopes to bridge the digital divide between the IPOs of developed and developing countries, and to promote the efficiency and transparency of IPR administration. The ultimate objective of the project is to build a database of information strategy plans (ISPs).
The scheme of KIPO’s technical cooperation project, which aims to facilitate the implementation of IP automation for all APEC member economies, involves the following steps:
• categorizing developing APEC member economies into groups based on their automation level and application volume
• selecting a representative member economy in each group and delivering IT consulting services
• building a database containing standardized output from the consulting services and presenting it to all member economies.
By sharing the experience of IP automation, the benefits of technical cooperation will be maximized. Using the know-how gained from building the database will enable member economies to minimize trial and error in adopting harmonized IPR administration processes; it will also help them comply with IT standards in the global IPR community, and eventually lead to successful implementation of IP automation.
The APEC Budget and Management Committee tentatively approved KIPO’s requested budget of US$750,000 for the project, covering the period from 2003 to 2005. The budget was approved in a meeting held at Singapore from 30 July to 1 August 2002. Consequently, in 2003, KIPO plans to implement support projects worth US$250,000 for APEC’s developing countries.
Technical consultation for the IPOs of developing countries
In 2002, KIPO delivered ISP consulting services to the IPOs of Papua New Guinea and the Philippines. It analyzed the IP procedures and IT status of these two offices, and established an ISP to give direction to their policies on IP automation.
The consulting results and KIPO's experience acquired during the development of KIPOnet show that a universal automation vision could be applied to all IPOs with the help of efforts to harmonize IPR administration. Most problems that IPOs face during system development can be prevented by common strategies because the problems stem from similar causes.
Promotional activities (seminars, exhibitions, visits, advertising, etc.)
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.
International Intellectual Property Training Institute
In 1987, the International Intellectual Property Training Institute (IIPTI) was established in Seoul as an affiliated organization of KIPO; it initially offered 11 IPR training courses. It moved to Daedeok Science Valley in Daejeon with the support of WIPO and the UNDP in February 1991. In June 2000, it offered a new training seminar for foreigners on IPR enforcement. Currently, it offers the following three courses for foreign participants:
Training course for foreigners
Since 1987, the Korean International Cooperation Agency has funded a biannual training course for foreigners. Targeting IPR officials from developing countries, the course explains in detail the Korean IPR system and the development of Korean IPR laws and policies.
In 2002, the course featured the development of IP laws, international trends of leading IPOs, and new issues such as biological patents, BM patents, and technology transfers and licensing. Held from April 13 to 26, the course attracted approximately 12 public officials from eight countries including Panama, Peru, and Vietnam.
WIPO Asian Regional Seminar
The WIPO Asian Regional Seminar has been held every year since 1988 in cooperation with WIPO. It aims at assisting the development of the international IPR system. The discussion topics include recent IPR trends and hot issues and IPR-related treaties.
The theme of the 2002 seminar was IP strategy for SMEs in the 21st century. Held from November 26 to 28, the seminar attracted 62 participants from 25 countries including the USA, Australia, Germany, Mongolia and Nepal. Participants discussed policies on the efficient promotion and use of IPRs and IPR information exchange.
Instructors course on IP training
In conjunction with WIPO and the JPO, the IIPTI established in 2001 an instructors course on IP training. The course was designed for public officials from the Asia-Pacific region who were engaged in IP training. To raise the skills of trainers, the course offers opportunities for exchanging information and sharing training experience.
From 18 to 22 March 2002, a total of 43 participants from 23 countries, including China, India, Malaysia and the Philippines, exchanged views on policies, teaching materials, IPR educational methods, and recent issues such as the Internet, e-commerce and BM-related inventions.
Studies to identify trends in new technology, e.g., by the use of patent statistics, preparation of monographs, etc.
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IX. Other relevant matters
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| 1. | Classification is allotting one or more classification symbols (e.g., IPC symbols) to a patent application, either before or during search and examination, which symbols are then published with the patent application.
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| 2. | Preclassification is allotting an initial broad classification symbol (e.g., IPC class or subclass, or administrative unit) to a patent application, using human or automated means for internal administrative purposes (e.g., routing an application to the appropriate examiner). Usually preclassification is applied by the administration of an office.
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| 3. | Reclassification is the reconsideration and usually the replacement of one or more previously allotted classification symbols to a patent document, following a revision and the entry into force of a new version of the Classification system (e.g., the IPC). The new symbols are available on patent databases.
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