Patent Office Expands Semiconductor 'Priority Examination' to Performance Testing and Evaluation Fields

On the 1st, the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) announced that it will expand the priority examination scope in the semiconductor and display fields, which had been limited to the manufacturing and design of materials, parts, and equipment, to include performance testing and evaluation fields.

KIPO has been conducting priority examinations focusing on advanced technologies since 2022. The purpose is to shorten the application period and contribute to strengthening the national economy and competitiveness. Until now, the fields eligible for priority examination were semiconductor, display, and secondary battery sectors.

As of the end of September, the examination processing period for semiconductors and displays under priority examination has shortened to an average of 1.6 months. Considering that the general examination processing period in the semiconductor and display fields without priority examination is an average of 15.9 months, the examination period is reduced by more than 14 months when priority examination is granted.

However, due to the limited scope of priority examination even within the semiconductor and display fields, there were limitations in the effects that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and mid-sized companies could tangibly experience on the ground.

The performance testing and evaluation fields of semiconductors and displays, newly included in the priority examination target from this month, showed remarkable patent applications from domestic SMEs and mid-sized companies. From January 2019 to September this year, there were a total of 4,944 applications in this field, of which 2,239 (45.3%) were filed by SMEs and mid-sized companies. With the possibility of priority examination in the semiconductor and display performance testing and evaluation fields, SMEs and mid-sized companies can now secure patent rights more quickly.

Shin Sang-gon, Director of the Patent Examination Planning Bureau at KIPO, said, “Rapid acquisition of rights is an essential requirement in the rapidly changing era of technological competition,” and added, “KIPO will continue to seek support measures so that domestic companies can lead innovation in advanced technology fields.”