Korea Intellectual Property Office partners with trade group to boost exports

The Korea Intellectual Property Office said Thursday it signed a memorandum of understanding with the Korea International Trade Association to strengthen intellectual property support for exporting companies. The agreement aims to link association members with government resources to enhance global competitiveness.

Commissioner Kim Yong-seon described the acquisition and protection of intellectual property rights as a survival issue rather than a choice for exporters, pledging that his office would work alongside the trade association to ensure companies secure necessary technologies and trademarks in a timely manner.

Yoon Jin-sik, chairman of the Korea International Trade Association, noted that disputes over local intellectual property rights remain the most significant hurdle for Korean firms operating abroad and stated the partnership would provide active support to help these companies build resilience in international markets.

The collaboration covers nine specific fields, including assistance in securing overseas patents and trademarks, promoting a new government-certified trademark system, and educating businesses on reporting counterfeit goods. The agencies also plan to install a direct telephone line between them.

A key component involves expanding awareness of the K-Brand Government Certification System, under which the state registers certified trademarks in 73 countries. This mechanism allows the government to directly request investigations and crackdowns from local authorities when counterfeit products bearing the national mark are discovered.

The offices intend to select the first batch of participating companies for this certification program by the end of September, with full implementation scheduled to begin in October.