Date: July 2, 2009
Source: KIPO
The Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) is planning to expand eligibility for preferential examinations
and to introduce a delayed examination system that enables customers to choose and manage the
examination schedule for their patent applications in September 2008. Instead of having a uniformly shortened patent
examination time, customers will be able to choose a fast, normal or slow examination.
Accelerated Examinations
Anyone who submits a prior art search report from an authorized organization will be eligible for an
accelerated examination. Only reports from authorized organizations will be accepted because those
reports are assured of meeting required standards.
Regular Examination
By setting an appropriate target of 16 months, the regular examinations will be prevented from being
excessively prolonged.
Delayed Examination
An applicant can request a delay at the time of submitting an examination request or anytime in the
six months after the examination request. The applicant has a choice of specifying the commencement
of an examination at any time in the period between one year and six months from the date of the
examination request and five years from the filing date. The examination will commence on or after the
specified time but no later than three months from the specified time