Expanding Priority Examinations for Semiconductors and Displays to Support Faster Patent Acquisition!

The Korean Intellectual Property Office (Commissioner: Kim Wan-ki) announced that as of November 1 it will expand the scope of priority examinations in the semiconductor and display sectors. Previously limited to semiconductor and display materials components and equipment manufacturing or design priority examinations will now also cover performance testing and evaluation. This expansion is expected to assist small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in securing patents more quickly.

Since 2022 the KIPO has prioritized patent applications related to advanced technologies with rapid development cycles that directly impact the national economy and competitiveness. Currently applicants in the semiconductor display and secondary battery sectors are eligible to request priority examination.

Since the introduction of this system (November 1 2022) patent applications in the semiconductor and display fields processed through priority examination have received results within an average of 1.6 months (as of the end of September 2024). This is over 14 months faster than the general examination period for the entire semiconductor and display field which averages 15.9 months.

The newly included performance testing and evaluation sector in semiconductors and displays is an area with a high volume of patent applications from domestic SMEs which represent 45.3%* of applications in this field. This expansion aims to make it easier for SMEs to utilize the priority examination system.

Of 4944 applications in this field 2239 (from January 2019 to September 2024) were filed by SMEs.
Details on the specific eligibility criteria and required documents for priority examinations in semiconductors and displays will be available in the announcement on the KIPO website (http://kipo.go.kr) as of November 1.

Shin Sang-gon Director of the Patent Examination Policy Bureau at KIPO stated “In an era of rapidly changing technological competition fast-tracked rights acquisition is crucial.” He added “The KIPO will continue to seek support measures to help domestic companies lead innovation in advanced technology fields.”

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