Date: September 20, 2006
Source: KIPO
- Number of applications increases 9 times during the past 3 years -
In the near future, viewers will be able to select their preferred TV programs and make their own broadcasting schedule. In short, an era of ‘Viewer’s own TV broadcasting service’ is close. The number of related patent applications has increased almost 9 times during the past 3 years.
‘Viewer’s own TV broadcasting service’ can be realized because of the Personal Video Recorder (PVR), a device that saves videos that are tens or even hundreds of hours long. The service is also made possible by providing an Electronic Program Guide (EPG) to viewers.
Through EPG, a viewer can select a program that he/she wants and save it in a PVR. Then, he/she can view it following a preferred schedule.
The method of using PVR is similar to using the reservation recording function in a Video Cassette Recorder (VCR). PVR is much better because the quality of a recorded program is identical to the original.. Recording in PVR is simple, performed with a few clicks. Also, PVR includes searching and editing functions, and by installing simple software, various additional services can be enjoyed.
According to KIPO (Commissioner: JUN, Sang Woo), the first application related to utilization of PVR was filed in 1999. Since then, a total of 180 related applications were filed until July 2006. More specifically, 7 applications were filed in 2001, 26 in 2002, 42 in 2003, and 61 in 2004, showing that the number increased about 9 times during the past 3 years.
Looking at the applicants, 129 applications (71.7%) were filed by domestic applicants, 24 (13.3%) each by American and European applicants, and 3 by Japanese applicants (1.7%). This ratio suggests that the competitiveness of domestic patents is relatively high.
Among domestic applications, 71.3% (92 applications) were filed by large enterprises such as LG Electronics, Daewoo Electronics, and Samsung Electronics, 21.7% (28 applications) by medium/small businesses, 4.65% (6 applications) by governmental research labs, and 2.3% (3 applications) by individual applicants.
Among medium/small businesses, Humax Co Ltd, Zeron Blue Co Ltd, and Digital & Digital, filed many patents. Foreign applicants included Philips Co Ltd, Thomson Co Ltd, and Sony Corporation.
Thanks to the mass capacity of PVR and diversification of products, the related market is expanding every day. The market for EPG is also expanding due to the increase of broadcasting channels. Based on our outstanding competitiveness in patents, exports of related products are also expected to increase.