Date: August 21, 2006
Source: KIPO
Foreign applications related to the protection of works in wireless environment show a drastic increase”
As services such as financial transactions, games, and shopping move to the wireless internet environment, patent applications are also actively being filed that relate to security for wireless internet. Foreign applications related to technologies that protect copyrights of wireless digital contents are drastically increasing every year.
According to KIPO (Commissioner: JUN, Sang Woo), the number of patent applications related to protecting copyrights of wireless digital contents was 366 during the past 6 years (2000~2005). Among them, 62% (226 applications) were filed by foreign applicants.
The number of foreign applications related to protecting the copyrights of wireless digital contents was 12 in 2000. The number increased every year to 25 in 2002, 37 in 2003, 61 in 2004, and 69 in 2005.
Technology related to protecting the copyrights of digital contents is recently becoming a hot issue. Through the rapidly-growing internet service, distribution of digital contents is generalized, increasing the importance of their protection. This protection is especially important since digital contents such as images, audio, and video can be easily copied in massive amounts without any difference between the original and the copy. Illegal copies can be spread instantly throughout the world without any restraints on accessibility. These facts raise the issue of copyrights to a higher level.
The copyright laws of Korea approve private copying. Under these laws, people can record or transfer contents through digital devices without paying for copyright fees. However, if the FTA between Korea and America acknowledges copyright for temporary recording or accepts restraints on content accessibility, business models connecting or transferring broadcast contents can be seriously damaged.
Technologies related to protecting digital copyrights in a network environment include DRM (Digital Right Management) technology which ensures secure delivery of contents, search engine technology which detects and stops illegal copies, CCI (Copy Control Information) technology which blocks illegal use and copy of contents, and watermark technology which extracts/searches copyright information and submits it as evidence.
Due to the development of WiBro and DMB technologies, the ubiquitous environment is closer to us. Domestic companies must make more efforts to rapidly prepare for the protection of wireless content and its distribution. They shall also actively participate in patent application activities and standardization of technologies to transform local technologies into global ones.