Annual Technical Report on Industrial Design Information Activities in 2025 submitted by the Ministry of Intellectual Property (MOIP)
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The term "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. GENERAL OVERVIEW OF RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN INDUSTRIAL DESIGN INFORMATION ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT BY THE OFFICE
Information on the following topics is desired:
In 2025, Korea strengthened its institutional framework for intellectual property policy with the elevation and reorganization of the Korean Intellectual Property Office into the Ministry of Intellectual Property (MOIP).
In parallel with this institutional transition, MOIP advanced the digital transformation of IP administration with the aim of making IP services more accessible, efficient, and responsive to the rapidly changing innovation environment.
Particular emphasis was placed on strengthening Korea's digital IP infrastructure and expanding the use of AI and data across IP administration.
Major initiatives included upgrading the national IP search platform, opening AI-ready IP datasets, applying AI to patent trial and appeal services.
- Statistics
The number of industrial design applications filed in Korea increased from 59,954 in 2024 to 60,935 in 2025, representing an increase of 1.6%.
II. SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES RELATED TO INDUSTRIAL DESIGN INFORMATION CARRIED OUT BY THE OFFICE
Information on the following topics is desired:
- Korea Intellectual Property Rights Information Service (KIPRIS)
In February 2025, MOIP launched a fully upgraded version.
The upgrade introduced unified searching of domestic and overseas IP information, redesigned search menus and results pages, responsive displays for PCs, tablets and smartphones, and an integrated Korean-English interface.
Analytical functions were also enhanced by providing search results in tables, charts and graphs and expanding statistics on overseas trademark and design data.
- KIPRISplus
Through KIPRISplus, MOIP provides intellectual property information to the private sector via Open APIs, bulk data downloads, and online download services.
The data provided include patents, trademarks, industrial designs, trial and appeal information, administrative information, and foreign patent information.
In 2025, 1,276 organizations used KIPRISplus services, representing a 56.3% increase from the previous year.
The number of Open API requests reached 2.413 billion, remaining above 2 billion for the fifth consecutive year.
The number of uses of IP information products also increased by 42.4% year on year to 7,222.
In addition, the number of open data products expanded from 126 in 2024 to 134 in 2025.
III. SOURCES OF INDUSTRIAL DESIGN INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE OFFICE
Information on the following topics is desired:
- Development of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Database
Since 1999, MOIP has been building search databases for domestic and overseas intellectual property rights.
Currently, it acquires IPR data from 56 foreign countries, including the IP5 offices such as the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), and makes the data available to examiners and the public for examination, trial and appeal, and general search purposes.
- Publication of Intellectual Property Gazettes
Since 1948, MOIP has published industrial property gazettes. In May 1998, the format was changed to CD-ROM, and since July 2001, gazettes have also been available through an online service.
On a monthly basis, gazettes are distributed via DVD and FTP to 17 countries and organizations.
In 2025, approximately 796,000 gazettes were published, contributing to the protection of applicants’ rights and safeguarding Korea’s intellectual property rights abroad. Of these, 51,005 were industrial design gazette publications.
IV. ICT SUPPORT TO SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES RELATED TO INDUSTRIAL DESIGN INFORMATION CARRIED OUT BY THE OFFICE
Information on the following topics is desired:
- PatentNet System (KIPOnet)
Since 1999, MOIP has been operating KIPOnet, its integrated IP administration system.
The IP administration segment comprises 35 systems covering the filing, registration, examination, and trial and appeal processes for patents, utility models, trademarks, and industrial designs.
The general administration segment consists of 10 systems, including knowledge management, performance management, and the official website.
- Enhancement of the AI-Based Design Search System
The existing CNN-based AI model was replaced with a Transformer-based model, enabling multi-label classification and improving the accuracy of similar design searches.
In addition, the search scope, previously limited to representative drawings, was expanded to cover all drawings, including a set of six standard views.
V. PROMOTION ACTIVITIES AIMED TO SUPPORT USERS IN ACCESS AND EFFICIENT USE OF INDUSTRIAL DESIGN INFORMATION
Information on the following topics is desired:
- Strengthening IP Education and Capacity Building
MOIP strengthened human resource development to foster creativity and practical IP capabilities in response to the rapidly changing innovation environment.
Through the International Intellectual Property Training Institute (IIPTI), MOIP expanded customized training for businesses, universities, and other participants across the IP ecosystem, while strengthening specialized and digital education in emerging technologies, invention education, IP valuation and finance, and IP administration.
- Publications for Users
MOIP produced and distributed English-language brochures and guidebooks for KIPRIS and KIPRISplus.
It also posted videos on YouTube introducing the latest updates and explaining how to use the services.
In addition, MOIP promoted broader discussion on the utilization and dissemination of industrial property information through a National Assembly forum on the promotion and dissemination of industrial property information in July 2025 and the IP Information Policy Forum in November.
VI.INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION ACTIVITIES IN THE FIELD OF INDUSTRIAL DESIGN INFORMATION
Information on the following topics is desired:
- Consulting Project for Intellectual Property System Enhancement
MOIP annually conducts IP system consulting projects for Global South countries to support the improvement of IP administration systems and public services.
The projects include high-level policy dialogue, expert consultations, capacity-building seminars, and on-site workshops, sharing Korea’s experience and expertise in IP policies, digital administration systems, and emerging technologies.
- Patent Information Expo (PATINEX)
MOIP holds the annual PATINEX (PATent INformation EXpo), featuring keynote speeches and lectures by domestic and international experts on major patent information issues.
The event includes presentations on patent information dissemination policies and utilization practices by patent offices and companies. It also provides opportunities for patent information service exhibitions and business meetings between enterprises and institutions.
In 2025, under the theme “AI Revolution, Reinvent the Future with IP data” the expo attracted 800 participants and 30 companies and organizations.
VII. ACTIVITIES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF WIPO STANDARDS CONCERNING INDUSTRIAL DESIGN INFORMATION
Note: For each Standard listed below, please enter one of the following values:
- "Fully implemented"
- “Partially implemented”
- "On implementation phase"
- "Planning to implement"
- “On assessment phase”
- "No plan to implement"
Implementation Status Definitions
"Fully implemented"
The WIPO Standard has been implemented in a manner compliant or compatible with the Standard.
"Partially implemented"
The WIPO Standard has been implemented in part. The Office practice aligns with some, but not all, requirements of the Standard.
"On implementation phase"
The decision to implement the WIPO Standard has been made and it is currently being deployed, configured, or integrated into systems and workflows.
"Planning to implement"
The decision to implement the WIPO Standard has been made; planning activities (resource allocation, timeline development, technical design) are underway before actual implementation begins.
"On assessment phase"
The WIPO Standard is under active evaluation to determine its feasibility, technical requirements, costs, benefits, and alignment with organizational needs before making an implementation decision.
"No plan to implement"
The WIPO Standard has been reviewed and there is currently no intention or plan to implement it.
WIPO Standard ST.2: Standard manner for designating calendar dates by using the Gregorian calendar
Fully implemented
WIPO Standard ST.3: Recommended standard on two-letter codes for the representation of states, other entities and intergovernmental organizations
Fully implemented
WIPO Standard ST.13: Recommendation for the numbering of applications for industrial property rights (IPRs)
No plan to implement
WIPO Standard ST.80: Recommendation concerning bibliographic data relating to industrial designs
Fully implemented
WIPO Standard ST.81: Recommendation concerning the content and layout of industrial design gazettes
Fully implemented
WIPO Standard ST.86: Recommendation for the processing of industrial design information using XML (extensible markup language)
Partially implemented
WIPO Standard ST.87: Recommendation for the exchange of industrial design legal status data
Fully implemented
WIPO Standard ST.88: Recommendations for electronic representation of industrial designs
Fully implemented
WIPO Standard ST.90: Recommendation for processing and communicating intellectual property data using web APIs (Application Programming Interfaces)
Partially implemented
WIPO Standard ST.91: Recommendations on digital three-dimensional (3D) models and 3D images
Partially implemented
WIPO Standard ST.92: Recommendations on the data package format for the electronic exchange of priority documents
On implementation phase
WIPO Standard ST.96: Recommendation for the processing of intellectual property information using XML (extensible markup language)
Fully implemented
WIPO Standard ST.97: Recommendation for processing of intellectual property data using JSON
No plan to implement