Lee International

The Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) recently published an analytical report based on approximately 2.3 million trademark filings accumulated over the past decade (2015–2024).  The report provides insights into industry-specific trademark filing trends, shifts in sectoral dynamics, and correlations with broader economic indicators.  The findings suggest that trademark big data can serve not only as a tool for IP management but also as a strategic resource for identifying macro-level industrial changes and informing corporate strategies.

▪ Shift Toward a Service-Oriented Industrial Structure

Over the past ten years, Korea has experienced a clear shift in the industry composition of trademark filings, signaling a broader transition towards a service-oriented economy.  Trademark applications in the wholesale/retail sector increased from 13.7% to 20.6%, while those in the information and communication sector rose from 17.4% to 19.9%.  In contrast, the manufacturing sector’s share declined slightly from 55.1% to 52.2%.  These figures in trademark activity reflect the ongoing transformation of Korea’s economy landscape, from manufacturing-centered to service-centered, with services playing an increasingly prominent role.

▪ Distinct Trademark Strategies by Business Type

Trademark filing trends reveal differing strategic approaches between large enterprises and small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs).  Large enterprises showed steady growth in high-value-added professional services, with an average annual increase of 3.2%, and in the ICT sector, with a 2.8% increase.  In contrast, SMEs exhibited the most significant growth in the wholesale and retail sector, recording an average annual increase of 8.4%.  This trend suggests that SMEs are adapting swiftly to market changes, such as the expansion of e-commerce and contactless consumption, by adopting more agile and market-responsive trademark strategies.

▪ Trademark Data as an Economic Indicator

A comparative analysis of trademark big data and the Business Survey Index (BSI) published by the Bank of Korea indicates that trademark filings in manufacturing, retail, and professional services sectors tend to function as coincident or lagging indicators of economic activity.  Conversely, filings in construction and logistics sectors appear to act as leading indicators, preceding broader economic movements.  These findings suggest that trademark big data can serve as a valuable supplementary tool for tracking market trends and anticipating economic transitions.

The KIPO has announced plans to conduct regular briefings for industry associations based on its trademark big data and to collaborate with institutions responsible for industrial indicators to enhance policy-level application of this information.  For companies, this growing access to objective data offers a valuable opportunity to develop more informed, data-driven IP strategies.  By analyzing trademark filing trends and aligning product/service classifications with their broader business objectives, companies can not only optimize their trademark portfolios but also better anticipate market shifts and position themselves strategically for future growth.