Korea ranked third in the world in the number of patent applications in 2002, the Korean Intellectual Property Office said yesterday.

According to data released by the agency, 145,000 patents were applied for last year in Korea, outstripping Germany, lifting Korea into third place in the category. The figure was up 4.5 percent from 139,000 cases in 2000, when Korea ranked No. 4.

Japan ranked No. 1 in most patents applied for, with 448,000 cases last year, followed by the United States, with 324,000 applications. Korea edged China, which came fourth with 143,000 patent applications.

"Companies are focusing more on research and development, and are becoming more aggressive in protecting intellectual properties," Kim Gwang-lim, head of the agency, said.

"The increase in the number of patent applications is evidence that the future competitiveness of Korean companies is improving."

Another contributing factor to the increase in applicants is the world's first online patent application system, which was set up in 1999, the agency said. In 2002, 81 percent of the patent applications were done online, the agency said.

When it comes to the number of patent application made overseas, Korea placed eighth in 2001, with 2,318 cases, the agency said.

( JoongAng Ilbo, 2003-01-03 )

Hyundai Mobis announced on the 27th that they developed a plastic cockpit module, which reduces the fuel costs of automobiles and increases safety, for the first time in Korea.

Hyundai Mobis revealed that the plastic cockpit module integrates an iron structure and related parts using plastic and accordingly is approximately 20% lighter than existing cockpit modules, thereby reducing the fuel costs of vehicles.

Hyundai Mobis also said that the plastic cockpit module was produced using an injection molding technique, thus significantly increasing the durability of vehicles and the safety of passengers.

The plastic cockpit module was developed in cooperation with American General Electric (GE) Plastic.

Hyundai Mobis stated that in a current situation where cockpit modules have been supplied to Jeep Cherokee of DaimlerCrysler only by the American C&A company, the developed plastic cockpit module requires only 9 parts compared to existing cockpit modules with 37 parts, thus shortening the manufacturing time.

(Korean Economic Daily)

Time limit for submitting the translation for international publication of PCT advanced by two months.

The translation for international publication of PCT should be submitted within 14 months from the priority date.

The above legislation is effective from the application filed after January 1, 2003 according to the PCT regulations which was recently amended by the 31st PCT General meeting managed by the WIPO.

Accordingly, the applicant or the attorney of the applicant should submit the translation for international publication of PCT to the Korean Intellectual Property Office within 14 months from the priority date advanced by two months from the prior 16 months.

In case that the translation is not submitted within 14 months from the priority date, the KIPO issues the Notice of Amendment, and the applicant or the attorney of the applicant could submit the translation within 16 months from the priority date with surcharge of 50%.

We are doing prior art search for patent application. For example, bottle cap, network karaoke system, back support for folding furniture etc.
And we are doing Patent Map project for medium and small-sized enterprises to help enhancing their competity and productivity increase.

Dowon International who operates the patent vortal site http://www.Patyellow.com moves on January 25, 2003. The new address is as follows. Our fax number and telephone number remain unchanged.

Want to Advertise in Korea?

If you want to advse any Conference, Seminar, Exhibition or Training Course re Intellectual Property, Licensing or Technology Transfer, and invite persons thereto, we could help you by advertising thereof through our patent portal site PATYELLOW.COM. Please send us an e-mail to promote and advertise your business.