Seoul City Supports 10,000 SMEs in Intellectual Property Applications and Protection... 25% Increase in IP Growth Rate

Comprehensive Intellectual Property Support 'Seoul Jisik Jaesang Center' Has Supported Over 11,000 Companies Since 2009
Experts Including Patent Attorneys Provide Specialized Consultations on Patent and Trademark Applications, Copyright Protection, and Support Costs
Supported Companies Show an Average 25.1% Increase in Intellectual Property Rights, One in Three Receive Awards or Certifications... Sales and Employment Also Rise

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Seoul Intellectual Property Center is playing a significant role in strengthening intellectual property rights for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to enhance their corporate competitiveness.

According to Seoul City on the 22nd, since the center opened in 2009, over 11 years, more than 11,000 companies have received a total of 18,330 supports. They have newly acquired 5,478 intellectual property rights, including domestic and international patents, and 1,808 supports have been provided for intellectual property protection such as trial and litigation support and copyright infringement injunction claims.

In particular, a survey of 523 SMEs that received support from the center showed an average intellectual property rights growth rate of 25.1%. Patents increased by 26.7%, trademarks by 31.2%, and designs by 23.3%, respectively.

Furthermore, one out of every three companies received awards or certifications related to intellectual property rights, achieving academic results as well. Securing intellectual property rights has directly translated into corporate competitiveness. Thanks to the support from the Seoul Intellectual Property Center, corporate sales increased by an average of 12.5% annually, and new job creation also rose by 12.8%.

This year, Seoul City plans to go beyond protecting corporate intellectual property rights and lay the foundation for growing into a "Global Intellectual Property City" by raising general citizens' awareness of intellectual property. The focus will be on "Enhancing Seoul Citizens' Awareness of Intellectual Property" so that anyone can accurately understand and properly practice intellectual property rights.

Seoul City intends to build and expand a healthy intellectual property ecosystem through three main strategies: conducting intellectual property awareness surveys targeting not only SMEs but also general citizens, providing awareness enhancement and capacity-building education, and establishing cooperative systems with related organizations.

Seoul City will expand the intellectual property awareness survey, which had been conducted for SMEs located in Seoul, to include all Seoul citizens starting this year. By understanding the level of interest and capability regarding intellectual property among Seoul citizens, tailored support measures will be sought.

To ensure accurate understanding of intellectual property rights, which can be inadvertently infringed upon, "citizen-level customized education" will be strengthened. Moving away from traditional lecture-style education, online content will be developed and distributed to make the often heavy topic of "intellectual property" easy to understand and enjoyable for everyone.

Additionally, in cooperation with related organizations such as the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the Korea Invention Promotion Association, and KAIST, the influence of the intellectual property ecosystem, which has been limited to SMEs, will be expanded to the general public. Various forums and debates on the theme of "intellectual property" will be created to broaden the connection between general citizens and intellectual property.

Kim Ui-seung, Director of Seoul City's Economic Policy Office, said, "In the era of the 4th Industrial Revolution, where the boundaries of existing industries are breaking down and innovation is accelerating through industry convergence, securing intellectual property rights is a matter of survival and directly linked to national competitiveness. Seoul City will continue to support SMEs and startups so they can file and protect intellectual property rights without cost burdens, thereby enhancing corporate competitiveness."