The number of domestic intellectual property (IP) applications and registrations has returned to an upward trend after one year. Last year, Korea maintained its 4th place ranking in international patent applications (PCT) worldwide.
According to the '2023 Intellectual Property Statistical Yearbook' published on the 6th by the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) and the Patent Statistics Center of the Korea Intellectual Property Research Institute, domestic IP applications last year totaled approximately 556,600, a 0.03% increase compared to the previous year, while registrations reached 359,263, up 10.0% year-on-year.
This indicates a shift back to growth following a decline in IP applications and registrations in 2022.
Over the past five years, the annual number of domestic IP applications showed fluctuations: 510,968 in 2019 (6.4% increase from the previous year), 557,256 in 2020 (9.1% increase), 592,615 in 2021 (6.3% increase), 556,436 in 2022 (6.1% decrease), and 556,600 in 2023 (0.03% increase).
In terms of major IP rights last year, patent applications increased by 2.4% compared to the previous year, whereas trademark (1.5%) and design (2.3%) applications decreased. Patents thus played a leading role in reversing the decline in application numbers.
Notably, patent applications from universities and public research institutions rose by 9.1%, while those from large enterprises and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) increased by 7.6% and 3.9%, respectively.
The continued decrease in trademark and design applications in 2023, following 2022, is attributed to a notable decline in trademark applications in sectors with reduced startup activity last year.
Regarding IP registrations, patents and designs decreased by 0.3% and 10.0%, respectively, compared to the previous year. Conversely, trademark registrations increased by 28.6%, leading to an overall upward trend in domestic IP registrations, according to KIPO.
By technology field, patent applications increased in four of the five major technology sectors defined by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)?electrical engineering (2.9%↑), chemistry (3.8%↑), mechanical engineering (0.5%↑), and instruments (3.0%↑)?excluding the 'others' category. Detailed analysis showed notable growth in 'semiconductors, electrical machinery & energy (electrical engineering)', 'biological material analysis & measurement (instruments)', 'materials & metallurgy, environmental technology, food (chemistry)', and 'machine operation (mechanical engineering)'.
Last year, most countries saw a decline in PCT applications. Only a few countries, including Korea, France, and the Netherlands, experienced an increase. Among them, Korea's PCT applications rose by 1.2% year-on-year, maintaining its 4th place globally.
KIPO interprets this as reflecting the determination of domestic companies to overcome the global economic crisis through overseas patent applications amid ongoing technological hegemony competition.
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