The Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) issued patent no. 2,000,000 and trademark registration no. 1,000,000, which Republic of Korea (South Korea) President Moon Jae-in presented to the inventor and registrant, respectively, on September 19, 2019.
Only six other nations’ had issued 2 million patents before (US, France, Germany, UK, Japan, China). President Moon took the opportunity to highlight the importance of generating intellectual property in Korea. He commented that South Korea needs to grow economically in spite of Japans’ export restrictions on South Korea, and pushing forward intellectual property is one means to this end. Tensions between South Korean and Japan, which have impacted Japanese IP in the ROK, likely fueled such a comment.
The Chinese, Korean, and Japanese markets and innovative centers provide much for the world. South Korea has made a substantial impact on the world markets for such a small country. We can hope for tensions to be relieved, and IP to progress in peace and cooperation in this region.
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Taro Yaguchi
Sources
“２００万件目の特許証手渡す 「脱日本」へ技術革新強調＝文大統領 [President Moon presents 2-millionth letters patent, emphasizes technological revolution to get away from Japan],” The Chosun Ilbo, http://www.chosunonline.com/site/data/html_dir/2019/09/19/2019091980088.html, September 19, 2019, accessed September 23, 2019.
Kim Eun-jin, “Two-millionth Patent in South Korea Registered,” Business Korea, http://www.businesskorea.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=36168, September 20, 2019, accessed September 23, 2019.
