1. Overview of system development in KIPO

KIPO’s automation traced back to 1981 when it introduced a mini-level computer system for application and registration processing, but the automation efforts were rather focused on batch processing of administrative procedures. Since 1983, computer processed trademark lists for each KTC (Korea Trademark Classification) class in Korean and English character order began to be provided to examiners. In 1984, the automated batch word mark search system was developed for the retrieval of identical marks.

As a result of KIPO’s continued efforts for the development of automated patent system launched since 1981, basic office automation systems and a trademark search system have been developed. KIPO is still working on the development of a patent and utility model search system which is now partially available for examination in the selected areas such as automobiles and semiconductors where prior art searches were in high priorities.

With regard to the basic office automation system, the respective sub-system for processing applications, registrations, trial management and PCT applications were developed prior to 1990. In 1990, supplementary systems to registration processing like electronic filing of registers and file management were developed. And as from 1992, an upgraded application and examination processing system have been implemented.

For trademark searches, a word-mark search system and a figurative-mark search system were introduced for examination in 1989 and 1990 respectively. As for patent and utility model searches, an IFD(Inpadoc Family Data) search system was developed in 1992 and has been implemented since 1993. From 1993 to 1995, KIPO had developed and modified a search system for patent and utility model registrations granted in and outside Korea. Search services have been provided to the public in selected areas since 1996, and continuous efforts are being made for expanding database as that full search services would be provided since 1999.

In 1995, The Korea Industrial Property Rights Information Center (KIPRIC), was established to provide industrial property services to the public. After a short period of testing and modifications, KIPRIC has been providing the public with commercial prior art search service through the so-called "KIPRIS" as from 1996. The service is provided to the public with easy access via on-line searching on the most recent industrial property information regarding patents, utility models, designs and trademarks. The Center is also planning to develop a system for extending access to its services provided via the Internet from 1998.

Trademarks examiners in KIPO are using two kinds of databases; "KIPO database" and "KIPRIS database." In fact, Search systems of the two databases are somewhat similar in principle because large portion of KIPRIS database copied KIPO database. However, because KIPRIS is a comparatively newly developed database and you can search design-mark only by KIPRIS, trademark search system under KIPRIS will be mainly presented here.

The dissemination on industrial property in KIPO is made by KIPRIC. KIPRIC collects the information on industrial property rights from Korea, EPO, Japan and the United States, and then builds its database by processing the information. Based on the database, KIPRIC provides service to domestic companies, inventors and laboratories through on-line, CD-ROM and magnetic tape.

KIPRIC has provided on-line commercial service on the domestic patent, utility model, industrial design, trademark, trials and statistical information since July 1996. In addition, KIPRIC is now preparing to serve the overseas industrial property information of EPO, Japan and the United States.

1. Data by KIPRIS

2. Search Method

- GUI environment: Click Pull-down menu, Tool bar, select button, etc.

- Type IPC, key word, applicant, etc. by keyboard.

(3) Search Items

(4) Search Function

o Operators : AND(*), OR(+), NOT(– )

o Truncations : Prefix, Rotated, Suffix

o Others : - Expanding function for each search item

- Sorting function of search results

- Designating function of result output form

- Designating function of result initial screen

(5) Output Method

- On-Line output (On screen, Print, Download)

- Off-line output (FAX, Sending after print)

- Download

The word-mark search system is composed of search function, search result inquiry function, result output function and reference function.

1. Initial Screen (photo not available)

(2) Searching Terms

1. Class of goods/services

- Scope of search: select from "designated class," "analogous class" and "all class."

- In case of search of designated class, type the relevant class. (i.e., Spices: 004, clothing & personal ornaments: 045)

- In case of search of designated class, if you want to extend the scope to the analogous class, select "analogous class."

2. Word-mark

- Use Korean and/or English language

- Use "operators" and/or "truncations"

BIO? -- BIO, BIOGREEN, BIOKING

?GREEN -- GREEN, BIOGREEN

- Click [TN] button to use expand function

©Application number

- Type the relevant application number.

- Mode: Title(2 digits; i.e., 40 for trademarks), year(4 digits), application number(6 digits)

- Click [AN] button to use expand function

(d) Date of application

- Type the date of trademark application.

- The term must not longer than 5 years.

(Ex. 2) "199101" Õ trademarks applied from January 1, 1991 to January 31, 1991

- If you click [AD], you can designate the application date by using increase button [s ] and decrease button [t ].

(e) Registration number

- Search term which can be used in case you know the registration number.

- Mode: Title(2 digits), registration number(6 digits), administration number(4 digits)

- Click [CN] to use expand function

(f) Date of Registration

- Type the date of registration.

- The term must not longer than 5 years.

- If you click [CD], you can designate the registration date by using increase button [s ] and decrease button [t ].

(g) Applicant

- You can search trademarks applied by a particular person.

- Use truncation.

- Click [AP] button to use expand function.

(3) Result Inquiry

- Simple data inquiry: class of goods/services, application number, date of application,

registration number, date of registration and name of trademark

- Bibliographic data inquiry: simple data + designated goods, registration facts, trial

facts, trademark formation, etc.

- Trial details inquiry

- Registered details inquiry: assignee, etc.

(4) Result Output

- On-screen

- On-line

- Download

- Off-line

(5) Reference Function

- Applicant synonym inquiry: provide dictionary data for one applicant who has various

names due to change of firm name, etc.

- Inquiry of class of goods for each "catchword"

- Relevant laws inquiry

(1) Searching Terms

1. Class of goods/services

- Scope of search: designated class, analogous class

- If you select "analogous class," the related analogous class, together with the designated

class, shall be included in your scope of search.

(b) Design classification code

- In case you do not know the code, you can select the code by clicking the [TT] Pop-Up

button.

(2) Searching

- Input searching terms and click Enter-key.