KIPO and Seven Global South Countries Strengthen Intellectual Property Cooperation

The Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) is strengthening intellectual property cooperation with seven countries from the Global South. The term "Global South" refers to developing or third-world countries, in contrast to developed nations, also known as the "Global North."

KIPO announced on the 11th that Commissioner Kim Wanki held high-level bilateral meetings with the heads of intellectual property offices from seven Global South countries, including those in the Middle East, Africa, and India, during the 66th World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) General Assembly held in Geneva, Switzerland, on July 8 and 9.

Kim Wanki, Commissioner of the Korean Intellectual Property Office (left), is taking a commemorative photo after a bilateral meeting with the Commissioner of the Indian Patent Design and Trademark Office. Photo by Korean Intellectual Property Office

During the bilateral meetings, Commissioner Kim met with Ahmed Almarshadi, Commissioner of the Gulf Cooperation Council Patent Office, and agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding for mutual cooperation between Korea and the Middle East in areas such as informatization, patent examination, and intellectual property-related education.

At the meeting, Commissioner Ahmed emphasized that the Gulf Cooperation Council Patent Office has selected KIPO as a cooperation partner for a project aimed at improving operations, which includes system integration and sharing of examination resources among the GCC Patent Office and the six member states' patent offices. He requested active cooperation from KIPO.

The Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property has also maintained close cooperation with KIPO in various areas, including the establishment of national intellectual property strategies, system development, and strengthening examination capabilities.

In addition, during the bilateral meetings, the parties agreed to strengthen cooperation in areas such as big data analysis, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) technology to combat counterfeit goods, and activities as an International Searching Authority (ISA) under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).

The bilateral meeting with the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO), which represents 22 English-speaking African countries, was the first in 15 years since 2010. At this meeting, both sides agreed to revise their comprehensive memorandum of understanding, creating new momentum to expand mutual cooperation.

Commissioner Kim also agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Indian Patent Office for mutual designation as PCT International Searching Authorities. As a result of this agreement, Korean companies will be able to obtain patents more quickly in India by designating the Indian Patent Office as their PCT International Searching Authority. This is expected to help Korean companies enter the Indian market, which has previously been challenging due to prolonged examination periods.

Commissioner Kim Wanki stated, "Countries belonging to the Global South are characterized by rapid economic growth and population increases, making them important markets where Korean companies can expand and generate economic benefits. KIPO will continue to expand cooperative relations with Global South countries that have high growth potential, in order to create a favorable intellectual property environment for Korean companies."