The Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) reported that the number of intellectual property (IP) applications filed in 2023 totaled 556,600, marking an upward trajectory compared to the previous year.
Breaking down the types of IP rights, there were 243,310 patent applications, which is a 2.4% increase from the previous year. However, 255,209 trademark applications were filed, representing a 1.5% decrease, and design applications decreased by 2.3%, totaling 55,335 filings. Despite these fluctuations, the overall IP applications saw a marginal increase (▲0.03%) compared to the figures recorded in 2022.
Considering the 6.1% decrease in IP applications across all sectors in 2022 compared to 2021, attributed to the broader economic downturn, the shift to an upward trajectory in IP applications for 2023 despite the prevailing inflation is a notable achievement.
Notably, the cumulative performance from January to September 2023, as reported by KIPO, indicates an increase in domestic patent applications for the year, particularly prominent in high-tech sectors including semiconductors (▲12.3%), electrical machine/energy including secondary batteries (▲11.4%), and digital communications (▲10.3%).
The rise in domestic patent applications, particularly in fields like semiconductors and secondary batteries, reflects the concerted efforts of Korean entities and academic institutions to enhance their IP competitiveness in these technical domains amid heightened global competition for technological supremacy. With KIPO’s recent initiatives to bolster examination capabilities in areas such as semiconductors, displays and secondary batteries, we anticipate a continued upward trend in patent applications within these sectors for the foreseeable future.
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