Korea is expanding cooperation on intellectual property (IP) rights, specifically in terms of IP education and IP protection, with China, Japan, the U.A.E. and Iran.

On Nov. 22 and 23, the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) launched a two-day meeting in Seoul for leaders of IP training centers from Korea, China and Japan, with the goal of improving IP education across the region. Specialists from Korea's International Intellectual Property Training Institute (IIPTI), China's Intellectual Property Training Center (CIPTC) and Japan's National Center for Industrial Property Information and Training (INPIT) attended the event to share their expertise on IP education.

Participants shared information about the inner workings of their training centers, and discussed topics related to IP education, such as special lectures, student exchange programs, as well as classes on IP rights for elementary and middle school students.

On Nov. 23, the three countries engaged in a joint seminar to provide briefings on their respective IP database systems. Presentations were given on the Korea Intellectual Property Rights Information Service (KIPRIS), the Japanese Platform for Patents (J-Plat Pat) and the Chinese patent system. A Q&A session followed, during which participants exchanged information about IP laws and regulations shared across their borders.



Korea also recently discussed measures to increase cooperation on IP protection and IP education with the U.A.E. and Iran.

On Nov. 14, the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) held a meeting with the Iranian Ministry of Justice with the objective of setting up an education system for IP rights in Iran. The Iranian officials asked that Korea share its curricula and training programs for IP rights teachers, along with other insights the KIPO has accumulated over the years. To follow up on these requests, the KIPO has begun making plans to collaborate with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).

In Dubai on Nov. 15, an MOU was signed between the KIPO and the Emirates Intellectual Property Association (EIPA), outlining cooperation on the administration of IP rights protection and raising awareness about IP. Korea and the UAE have been cooperating on patent examinations, patent information systems, as well as legal consultations on IP rights, and with the new agreement the list will also include IP rights protection.

By Lee Hana
Korea.net Staff Writer
Photo: KIPO
hlee10@korea.kr