Korea expands one-month patent review to all young startups

The Korea Intellectual Property Office said Monday it will open its one-month patent review to all young startups from Nov. 1, removing a restriction that had limited the fast track to artificial intelligence and biotechnology ventures and left founders in other fields waiting more than a year for a first examination result.

The expansion covers any company whose chief executive is 39 or younger and which was founded within the past seven years, regardless of technology sector. Founders who have not yet registered a business also qualify if they are 39 or younger and have been selected for a government startup support program such as "Everyone's Idea" or "Everyone's Startup."

Fast-track applications receive a first examination result within one month, against more than a year under the standard process. Since the fast track opened to AI and biotech startups in February, the average wait in those fields has fallen to 1.0 month, against roughly 20 months for standard review.

From the program's start in October last year through August, the office received 1,284 fast-track applications: 60 percent from small and medium-sized companies, 20 percent from large companies and 14.7 percent from individuals.

The office is also adding AI data center and physical AI technologies, two areas within the government's three major mega-projects, to the eligible fields. Support for existing advanced-technology fields — semiconductors, displays, secondary batteries, biotechnology and biomedicine, health care, advanced robotics and AI — has been extended through the end of next year.

The office is distributing a guide covering eligibility, required documents, sample forms and frequently asked questions, downloadable from its website.

"This institutional improvement will broadly support the rapid securing of rights, from young startup companies short of funds and manpower to national advanced technologies and excellent research results from universities," Kim Yong-sun, commissioner of the Korea Intellectual Property Office, said. "By distributing the guide, we will lower the threshold of patent administration so that anyone can easily apply for priority examination."

"A patent is more than a simple right for a startup — it is an important asset for attracting investment, entering markets and growing the company," said Jeong Yeon-woo, deputy commissioner of the office.