Need for Korean Patent Application

1. Korea Has an Attractive Market with a Respectable Size.

i. In 2013, Korea has a sizable market, and is currently the 13th largest economy in the world. Moreover, Korea is in the midst of broadening its scope of trades, as well as increasing the size of such trades through Free Trade Agreements (FTA) with the United States, Europe, China, Japan, and more.

ii. Current Status of FTA
Since entering into FTA with the United States in 2012, and with the European Union in 2011, the size of trades between Korea and the US and the EU is continuing to increase. Korea is in the process of entering into FTA with China and Japan as well.

2. Numerous International Companies Are Currently Applying for Patent Protections in Korea. 

i. In 2012, the number of Korean patent applications reached approximately 190,000 – this makes Korea the 5th largest nation in the world, in terms of number of patent applications. Approximately 40,000 applications – 21% of the total 190,000 applications – are submitted by foreign companies, reaffirming Korea’s status as a convenient forum for patent protection.

ii. In addition, 11,000 applications – accounting for approximately 25% of the 40,000 patent applications by foreign companies – were filed by American companies.

3. The Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) Is Highly Trusted Internationally, And Is Appointed To Be The PCT International Searching Authority in Approximately 1/3 Of The U.S. PCT Applications.

   

Year	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011
PCT application in USA	54,042	51,642	45,627	45,008	48,596
PCT international Search by KIPO	2,735	11,371	13,356	13,319	15,168

Source: WIPO, PCT Yearly Review 2012 (May 2012), KIPO

Chief Foreign Enterprises as PCT International Search Requester in KIPO (2012)

• INTEL (semiconductor) 
• MICROSOFT (software) 
• HEWLETT-PACKARD (computer and electronic appliances) 
• BAKER HUGHES (oil well development) 
• Applied Materials (semiconductor production equipment) 
• THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA (medical supplies and chemistry) 
• GOOGLE (internet search) 
• 3M (electronic and information technology) 
• CATERPILLAR (machines of construction) 
• KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE(health and hygiene item)

4. Using KIPO’s Accelerated Patent Examination Track Provides the Shortest Turnaround Time for Patent Issuance in the World.

i. Applications utilizing the accelerated examination track of the KIPO issue in approximately 3 months (approximately 10 months in cases of office actions).

ii. Quickly obtaining patent protections in Korea may have a positive influence in acquiring patent protections overseas for the invention.

iii. Please refer to the link below for specific requirements and protocols for requesting the KIPO accelerated track for examinations.
http://goo.gl/Acw3I7

5. Why Kasan? - Kasan's Patent Application Service

• One Stop Service

        We provide A full-range of legal services in IP related matters.

• Emphasis on Quality

        Almost all works are done by licensed professionals.

• Accumulated Knowhow

        We have represented a variety of clients including Samsung, government organizations, and medium-sized companies. 

• Swift Work Process

        We developed our own IP management system, XPAT, and we are ranked at the top in the agent evaluation of Samsung.