Korean Intellectual Property Office Reorganized as Ministry of Intellectual Property
Effective October 1, 2025, the Korea government implemented an administrative reorganization elevating the Korean Intellectual Property (KIPO) to the Ministry of Intellectual Property (MOIP), operating under the Office of the Prime Minister. The new ministry will serve as a central control tower, formulating and coordinating nationwide intellectual property (IP) policies to enhance Korea’s industrial competitiveness.
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Rapid Increase in Patent Filings for Cutting-Edge Medical Devices Over the Past Decade
According to an analysis by the Ministry of Intellectual Property (MOIP, formerly KIPO) on patent filing trends, the number of patent applications in the medical device sector increased by 42% over the past decade, from 9,336 cases in 2015 to 13,282 cases in 2024. This growth rate is approximately 3.5 times higher than the overall 12% increase in total patent filings filed during the same period.
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Korean IP Hight Court Rules that Posting on Global E-Commerce Platforms Constitutes Patent Infringement
In a landmark decision, the Korean Intellectual Property High Court has ruled for the first time that posting a patented product for sale on a global e-commerce platform can constitute a patent infringement under Korean law.
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Korean Intellectual Property Trial and Appeal Board Reforms Priority and Expedited Trial Procedures
The Korean Intellectual Property Trial and Appeal Board (IPTAB) has implemented significant revisions to its priority and expedited trial processes, aimed at reducing the duration of patent trial cases. In general, patent trials (“ordinary trials”) are conducted in the order in which they are filed. Cases requiring priority handling may be processed ahead of ordinary trials under priority trials, while cases considered highly urgent may be processed even faster under expedited trials. Following the revision of the “Regulations on Trial Procedures,” effective July 21, 2025, the IPTAB has refined the criteria for priority and expedited trials. This revision reorganizes the eligibility requirements for these faster trial tracks, as summarized below:
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MOIP Announces Major Enhancements to Trademark Examination Practices
The Ministry of Intellectual Property (MOIP, formerly KIPO) has announced key updates to its trademark examination practices aimed at improving transparency and aligning procedures with evolving business realities. The changes reflect feedback from the industrial sector and are expected to take effect in the latter half of this year.
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Lee International Shares Practical Patent Strategies for AI Inventions with Leading Chinese AI Companies
On July 16, Lee International delivered a presentation regarding practical patent practice tips for AI inventions at a seminar hosted by CNH IP Group in Shanghai, China. The session was attended by IP professionals from major Chinese AI companies.
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Managing Partner Taehong KIM Named to IAM Strategy 300: The World’s Leading IP Strategists 2025 for the Second Year in a Row
Managing Partner Taehong Kim has been named in the IAM Strategy 300: The World’s Leading IP Strategists 2025, for the second consecutive year. The IAM Strategy 300 annually honors global leaders who have demonstrated excellence in developing and implementing IP strategies that drive business value.
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Article Contribution to IAM Asia-Pacific Patent Prosecution Review 2026: “A Closer Look at Willful Patent Infringement and Punitive Damages under Korean Patent Act”
Our members, Jin-Oh SONG, a Patent Attorney, and Dong-Hwan KIM, an Attorney at law, have co-authored an article titled “A Closer Look at Willful Patent Infringement and Punitive Damages under Korean Patent Act” in IAM Asia-Pacific Patent Prosecution Review 2026.
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New Members
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Seo-Yoon JEONG
Patent Attorney
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Sung-Yeon CHO
Patent Attorney
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Jin-Ju KIM
Patent Attorney