Recent Developments of KIPO Examination Capability

According to WIPO statistics, Korea has been ranked No. 4 in the number of patent filings with KIPO, and No. 5 in the number of PCT application filings in the recent several years. KIPO announced that they achieved one of the fastest examinations in the world. KIPO has over 1,000 members including about 700 patent examiners. Among the patent examiners, nearly 40% of the examiners have doctorate degrees and the others are well qualified as they passed a high standard national examination.

KIPO has been serving as both an international search authority and an international preliminary examination authority for international applications under the PCT since January 1, 2006. The USPTO, which files the largest number of PCT applications in the world, has designated KIPO as a competent international searching and examination authority for international applications filed at the USPTO under the PCT. The USPTO decision can be interpreted as recognition that KIPO’s examination capabilities meet world standards. According to KIPO, their fees are much less than those of the USPTO and the EPO.

Applicants can compare the quality of examination, costs and conveniences of each patent office to conduct international searches and preliminary examinations of PCT applications. According to KIPO, Microsoft, Intel, Hewlett-Packard, Google, 3M and Kimberly-Clark have used KIPO as their PCT International Search Agency.

Under the circumstances, foreign applicants may obtain a search or examination report within ten months after filing a patent application in Korea. We believe that the applicant, like Microsoft Corporation, might benefit from KIPO’s highly qualified and speedy examination capabilities.