Yearly Archives: 2025

[The Sarang Way] Evaluating Technology Usability: The Importance of a Patent Freedom to Operate (FTO) Study

In today’s world, new technologies rarely emerge without ties to existing innovations. After months of development and planning, many projects are abandoned over patent-infringement concerns when new products turn out to resemble patented technologies. A Patent FTO (Freedom to Operate) study assesses whether a technology can be commercialized without violating existing patent rights. This process…

[The Sarang Way] Patenting as a Strategy: Customized Patent Applications

Why do you want a patent? When asked this question, 90% of people say, “to protect their technologies and ideas.” However, the remaining 10% answer, “because it is necessary for business.” While the original purpose of patent rights is to protect and promote technological invention, modern patent law serves a broader purpose. For example, the…

[The Sarang Way] Tools of a Prior Art Study of Sarang IP

The Importance of Prior Art Search for Patent Applications Conducting a prior art study is crucial for patenting a technology, as it serves multiple purposes: Assessing RegistrabilityPrior art provides the benchmark for judging whether an invention is patentable. It also helps determine how to structure claims and prepare the patent document. Supporting Patent Disputes and…

[The Sarang Way] How to Encounter Sarang IP Law Firm, on –Line

Embracing Virtual Communication for IP Services While trademarks and designs do not always require face-to-face meetings, understanding patent technology often benefits from direct communication. Preparing patent-related documents is often easier when there is an opportunity to explain and clarify the details in person. For this reason, face-to-face meetings have traditionally been preferred. In addition, when…

[The Sarang Way] We have a Strategy to heighten possibility of a trademark registration

Trademark Registration: Key Considerations and Solutions Unlike patents or designs, trademarks do not protect inventions. Instead, they “select and protect” marks that hold value for branding purposes. That said, not every mark is eligible for trademark protection. Certain marks cannot be exclusively used. For example, registering product descriptions or well-known place names would confer an…

[The Sarang Way] Let’s secure the broad scope of right, at maximum, through strategical design registration!

Is Design Registration Worth It? Design registration, which protects the visual appearance of products, is often perceived as less necessary and less effective than patent or trademark protection. This is because design rights have a narrow scope, making it difficult to claim infringement when even minor differences exist between designs. Moreover, the very nature of…

[The Sarang Way] Don’t afraid of trial for cancellation of registered trademark not in use

Understanding Trademark Protection and Non-Use Cancellation Trials Trademarks do not protect inventions; instead, they operate on a registration-based system. In other words, trademark law protects marks once they are registered, regardless of the reason they were created. However, this registration-focused system has led to issues where trademarks are preemptively registered without being used, effectively blocking…

[The Sarang Way] Is there imitation trademark registration? Never let it go!

Trademark Protection and the Risks of Imitation Trademark protection operates on a registration-based system, meaning that the law prioritizes the protection of trademarks that have been registered. Under the territorial principle, trademark laws—including the Korean Trademark Act—only recognize and enforce trademark rights within the country where the trademark is registered. This principle has led to…

[The Sarang Way] We’ll establish multiple strategies to reduce costs for overseas patents that require high costs and heighten the possibility of registration.

Key Facts about International Patent and Design Applications Applying for and registering a patent in Korea’s major trading partners—Europe, Japan, the US, and China—can cost approximately 100 million KRW. This cost applies to just four countries, not the entire world. However, the costs for application and registration themselves are not particularly high. In most cases,…

[The Sarang Way] Sarang IP Law Firm provides differential Chinese services.

Introducing Attorney Yeong-ran Ha: Expert in Chinese Patent and Trademark Services At Sarang IP Law Firm, we are proud to have Attorney Yeong-ran Ha, a Chinese attorney with extensive experience and expertise in intellectual property law. Attorney Yeong-ran Ha’s Background Education: Graduated from two universities in China.Work Experience: Worked at the major Chinese subsidiaries of…