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, registered Korean patents are translated and submitted to the corresponding patent offices overseas. Apart from administrative fees, additional costs are minimal.
Once the decision to register is made, the costs involved are mainly limited to patent fees and document handling.
The Real Challenge: Responding to Rejections
The real expense arises when responding to a notice of rejection. There are many possible reasons for rejection, and various measures must be taken to address them.
These measures include:
- Revising the patent claims and submitting opinions
- Consulting with the examiner to register what is acceptable and manage claims that may not be registrable
Failure to overcome the rejection at the examination stage may lead to trials or litigation, which can increase costs unpredictably. In some cases, this may require amending the application or even changing legal representatives.
Without proper planning, it is difficult to predict the total cost of the entire process.
Our Approach: Optimized Protocols for International Applications
At Sarang IP Law Firm, we follow overseas application protocols developed through extensive experience, deliberation, and accumulated case know-how.
For example:
- We request accelerated examination for Korean patent applications and typically receive a decision within a year.Based on the examination outcome, we recommend overseas applications only for patents with strong registration potential.We use the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) system to accelerate examination and increase the likelihood of registration for patents already registered in Korea.
The Importance of Patent Drawings
Patent drawings do not define the scope of rights, but they play a crucial role in interpreting a patent’s claims. Some countries impose complex procedural requirements for drawings, making this a key consideration.
At Sarang IP Law Firm, we prepare drawings throughout the entire domestic application process, ensuring they meet the requirements for future overseas applications.
Cost-Efficient International Design Registration
For design patents, the International Design Registration System significantly reduces costs—by up to 80% compared to filing separate applications in each country—and facilitates faster registration.
However, differences in design drawing requirements among countries (e.g., Japan, Europe, and the US) can complicate the process. Our firm addresses this by preparing drawings that comply with the PPH requirements of these key regions.
Additionally, to minimize costly revisions in the US, we conduct a preliminary review of the patent with our American partner attorneys before international registration.
Contact Us for Effective Solutions
At Sarang IP Law Firm, we are committed to helping you reduce costs and enhance your success rate in international patent and design applications.
Sarang IP Law Firm collaborates with overseas patent attorneys and applicants on inbound and outbound filings, coordinating cost planning and prosecution strategy across Korea and key foreign jurisdictions.
