Asia IP

The Korean Intellectual Property Office is set to deploy its patent examination services to the United Arab Emirates after signing a Memorandum of Understanding for Cooperation on IP at the Republic of Korea–UAE IPR High-Level Meeting held in Seoul. 

It was agreed at the meeting that South Korea would dispatch staff to the UAE to examine patent applications submitted to the UAE’s Ministry of Economy and also examine the UAE applications remotely in Korea. The UAE does not currently possess its own patent office, with the Austrian Patent Office currently examines patents on behalf of the UAE, but this is only a partial measure. 

The dispatched examiners will be responsible not just for examining patents but also for providing consultations on establishing a patent office in the country. The consultations are aimed at designing laws and systems for patents as well as at spreading information and fostering the development of IP personnel in the country. KIPO plans to make use of its advanced IP office automation system, KIPOnet, with the UAE government covering the costs for these services. 

The agreement emerged in part due to the UAE’s recognition of the important role of IP in its plans for a less oil-dependent economy and a strong IP system. 

South Korea’s strong reputation in IP was also a contributory factor in the agreement and the UAE is looking for support from KIPO to raise its IPR capabilities, which will include remote examination of patents in South Korea. 

Rapid economy development in the UAE leads to a sharp rise of patent applications and this is expected to continue.

KIPO plans to prepare a detailed programme during the first half of 2014 to start remote examination of the UAE’s patents based on the agreement. Measures to support the creation of an IP system in the UAE and long-term personnel training will also be drawn up. 

Korea and the UAE have maintained a successful partnership in various fields, including nuclear energy, resource development, and construction. This agreement has expanded cooperation between the two countries, with intangible resources now featuring as a part of the economic relationship. 

It also marks the first time that South Korean patent examiners — highly qualified professionals with top science and engineering education, 45% of whom possess PhDs — will examine the patents of another country. This is expected to improve South Korea’s national brand and reputation in IP throughout the Middle East. 

“The agreement for KIPO to examine the UAE’s patents allows us to switch Korean relations with the Middle East to knowledge services rather than manual labour as it was in the 1970s. We will work hard to spread a new Korean Wave of intellectual property administration,” said KIPO Commissioner Kim Young-min.