Analysis of IP practice, AI technology and international protection, alongside news from IPLEX. Explore the articles in English.
336 articles and updates
336 articles
Case 2025Heo10277 distinguishes identification of the compared invention, acts of production and the continuing interest in a scope determination from the merits of infringement.
Read articleYongduck Kim examines FiX’s feature-wise gates, numerical implementation and paged cache, distinguishing reported gains from unresolved limitations.
Read articleA practical guide to Saudi trade mark prosecution, representation, public-order restrictions, Hijri renewal dates and Madrid accession on 8 October 2026.
Read articleA railing-pipe dispute illustrates the importance of appearances during sale and installation, prior designs and functional features in assessing overall visual impression.
Read articleKorean Patent Court case 2025Heo10379 explains why different goods and later commercial success did not overcome the reputation and distinctiveness of TikTok.
Read articleEligibility and practical limits of Korea’s rapid patent, utility-model and trade mark examination tracks, including 2026 expansions and announced next steps.
Read articleDecision 2023Hu11487 examines whether adding a mass-basis explanation to pharmaceutical claims qualifies as an admissible correction.
Read articleYongduck Kim examines Multi-Head Attention Residuals: depth routing, reported training results, implementation costs and the relationship between technical features and effects.
Read articleA guide for Korean applicants to direct UAE filing and Madrid designation, including representation, powers of attorney, examination and opposition.
Read articleKorean Supreme Court decision 2024후11026 assesses design scope through prior designs and the overall impression of the remaining features.
Read articleKorean Supreme Court decision 2024후10504 separates an intention to launch from actual use and objective obstacles beyond the owner’s control.
Read articleKorean Supreme Court decision 2023후11340 examines functional claim language, prosecution history and different cleaning principles.
Read articleKorean Patent Court decision 2025허10530 distinguishes routine changes from features requiring a meaningful design contribution.
Read articleThe 010PAY decision, 2025허10405, considers actual transactions, revenue and the proper subject of Korean trade mark scope proceedings.
Read articleKorean Patent Court decision 2025허10293 addresses a changed feature mapping and the procedural right to submit arguments and amendments.
Read articleKorean Patent Court decision 2025허10434 examines the role of ‘250 SERIES’ in its packaging and market context.
Read articleA practical guide to Brazilian trademark applications, including Portuguese wording, opposition deadlines, prior use, non-use cancellation and renewal.
Read articleWriting for AI Times, IPLEX Managing Partner Yongduck Kim examines the training data behind computer-operating AI agents through U.S. Patent No. 12,585,862.
Read articleUnderstand Mexican trademark filing, timelines, consent agreements, opposition, third-anniversary declarations of use and renewals.
Read articleExplore trademark filing in India, prior-user protection, series marks, hearings, the four-month opposition period and coordination with local counsel.
Read articleExplore how IPLEX combines AI and software expertise with a practical understanding of business strategy. The interview discusses education for founders, mentoring and communication with clients.
Read articleA guide for businesses protecting their brands in Australia, covering application, examination and registration, as well as the TM Headstart preliminary assessment service.
Read articleThis guide explains the issues to consider and the materials to prepare when seeking patent protection for AI technology.
Read articleAn overview of non-use cancellation proceedings, with a focus on evidence of trademark use and strategies for responding.
Read articleThis article explains how filing with a provisional specification can support businesses developing technology while preparing patent applications.
Read articleAI Times, a Korean AI publication, has published Managing Partner Yongduck Kim's column on artificial intelligence patents.
Read articleA guide to the process and use of export vouchers for companies selected for the 2026 Overseas Online Platform Entry Support Program.
Read articleWe advise on applications and patent strategy for AI, generative AI and LLMs, machine learning, deep learning and software.
Read articleFor businesses entering North America, trademark protection in Canada deserves separate consideration. Although some features resemble Korean practice, filing and registration procedures, descriptions of goods and services, use requirements and non-use cancellation rules differ.
Read articleA trademark application must meet the requirements for registration. One of the first issues to assess is whether the mark is distinctive.
Read articleReward-based reinforcement learning is increasingly used to improve the reasoning capabilities of large language models. PPO-style policy optimization is a common approach. Methods such as GRPO, Dr.GRPO, GSPO and REINFORCE++ modify advantage estimation or normalization while seeking to avoid excessive policy changes in a single update...
Read articleBusinesses planning to export to Russia or operate there should consider trademark protection before entering the market.
Read articleDesign shapes a product's first impression and influences purchasing decisions. In fast-moving sectors such as fashion and household goods, obtaining protection promptly can be particularly important.
Read articleThe term AI agent is used widely, but its meaning varies. It may describe a chatbot with search capabilities or a system that plans tasks and operates external tools. Recent research explores these distinctions...
Read articleThe Philippines is an important market for businesses expanding into Southeast Asia. Local trademark protection should be considered before offering goods or services or building a brand there.
Read articlePatent assignments and other IP transfers frequently arise in technology transactions, startup investments and mergers and acquisitions.
Read articleConversational AI can lose track of requirements as a discussion grows longer. A model may repeat a corrected mistake or continue relying on an earlier assumption even though the conversation remains in its context...
Read articleAI Times, a Korean AI publication, has published Managing Partner Yongduck Kim's column on generative AI patents.
Read articleAn AI agent asked to navigate a website, find information and recover from a failed action faces a different task from simply answering a question. It must coordinate a sequence of actions, observations and decisions, including correcting errors along the way...
Read articleTrademark rights are territorial. Businesses entering new markets should consider local protection for the names and logos used for their products and services.
Read articleMost large language models are deployed with fixed weights after training. Even when a user supplies a long document, the model processes its tokens within the attention mechanism and context window without directly adapting its weights to that document. In-Place Test-Time Training explores an alternative...
Read articleA clearance search may reveal an existing registration that is identical or similar to the mark you intend to use.
Read articleAs more Korean businesses expand into Southeast Asia, including Thailand, many are seeking local trademark protection before entering the market.
Read articleBusinesses expanding internationally need to decide when and how to file patent applications abroad.
Read articleIndonesia is one of Southeast Asia's largest consumer markets and an important destination for Korean businesses.
Read articleUI and UX help distinguish mobile apps and web services. Screen layouts, icons and graphics can be valuable design assets developed through substantial investment.
Read articleBrand protection is increasingly important as Korean businesses expand into Southeast Asia. Interest in Korean brands in Malaysia has grown alongside K-content, K-beauty and K-food.
Read articleFor businesses taking a brand overseas, the timing of foreign trademark applications after the initial Korean filing is an important strategic decision.
Read articleVietnam is a major market for Korean businesses. Expansion in cosmetics, food, clothing, household goods and manufacturing makes local trademark protection increasingly important.
Read articleA single application may contain several inventions. Divisional applications allow an applicant to separate those inventions and pursue patent protection for them individually.
Read articleAny business preparing to enter the UK market should consider its trademark protection strategy separately.
Read articleDisclosure before launch can expose a carefully developed design to imitation and reveal product-launch or marketing plans. Managing when a design becomes public is therefore an important business consideration.
Read articleAI Times, a Korean AI publication, has published Managing Partner Yongduck Kim's column on generative AI patents.
Read articleThe European Union is one of the world's largest single markets, with growing trade links to Korea. Korean businesses are expanding across automotive, electronics, chemicals and machinery, as well as cosmetics, food, fashion and IT services.
Read articleWhat can you do if a similar trademark has been published for opposition after you have already built your brand?
Read articleStartup IP work must align protection before disclosure, payment within the project's funding period and the documentation needed for expense reconciliation. At IPLEX, Managing Partner Yongduck Kim analyzes a startup's technology, brand and product appearance to guide patent, trademark and design applications...
Read articleThe United States is a major consumer market where brand protection is essential. Unlike Korea, US practice places particular importance on first use and use in commerce, so filing or registration alone does not resolve every question of ownership or protection.
Read articleOne of the most common questions we receive after filing a patent application is “When will it be registered?”
Read articleJapan is a key overseas market for Korean businesses, including those working in food, beauty, content and IT services.
Read articleWhen developing a product, businesses often share it on social media, display it at an exhibition or test demand through crowdfunding before launch.
Read articleAI Times, a Korean AI publication, has published Managing Partner Yongduck Kim's column on generative AI patents.
Read articleChina is a major consumer market for Korean businesses. Protecting a brand there requires attention to trademark rights as well as the quality of the products or services.
Read articleA Korean trademark registration does not provide protection in every country. Businesses expanding internationally need to consider the procedures for securing rights in their target markets.
Read articleAs digital distribution expands, Korean brands can attract customers in countries beyond their original target markets. This makes international trademark planning increasingly important.
Read articleA trademark is a sign, such as a word, symbol or shape, used to distinguish one business's goods from those of others.
Read articleObtaining a patent is not the end of the process: businesses and inventors also need to maintain it.
Read articleAI Times, a Korean AI publication, has published Managing Partner Yongduck Kim's column on AI patents.
Read articleInternational trademark protection is an important part of business strategy for Korean companies expanding abroad. The US market is particularly significant for global brand planning.
Read articleIPLEX patent attorney Yongduck Kim delivered an IP lecture for international entrepreneurs through the OASIS program.
Read articleBusinesses entering or exporting to China should plan for local trademark protection. Although the system has similarities to Korean practice, important procedural differences require attention.
Read articleBusinesses increasingly sell coordinated sets of products rather than individual items alone.
Read articleTrademark registration is not permanent without renewal. Missing a renewal deadline can put brand protection at risk.
Read articleAI Times, a Korean AI publication, has published Managing Partner Yongduck Kim's column on AI patents.
Read articleA competitor's patent may complicate a product launch, or a business may receive an unexpected infringement warning. Understanding the available responses is essential.
Read articleThe Philippines is a growing Southeast Asian market with an increasing Korean business presence. Companies planning to offer goods or services there should consider local trademark protection.
Read articleAs product appearance becomes an increasingly important source of competitive advantage alongside function, design rights play a growing role in business strategy.
Read articleA brand is not just a name or logo; it is an important asset that builds consumer trust and a company's market competitiveness.
Read articleProduct design contributes to competitiveness and brand value. A Korean registration may not provide sufficient protection against similar products abroad, where protection systems and examination standards differ...
Read articleTrademark protection is a fundamental part of IP planning for businesses entering overseas markets.
Read articlePatent filing in China has similarities to Korean practice but important practical differences. Early decisions include the type of protection to seek, consistency in applicant names and claim drafting for computer-implemented inventions.
Read articleA distinctive part of a product can attract consumers' attention and make a brand recognizable more strongly than the product's overall appearance.
Read articleTrademark disputes affect startups, small businesses and independent brands as well as major companies. Even a single dispute can have serious commercial consequences.
Read articleBecause patents are closely tied to a company's technological advantage, transfers of patent rights often arise during its operations.
Read articleIPLEX patent attorney Yongduck Kim analyzes Meta's patent relating to user AI avatars.
Read articleA trademark conveys a business's identity, reputation and brand value. Securing protection is an important consideration in an increasingly competitive global market.
Read articleTechnology can be a major asset for businesses entering international markets. Without appropriate protection, it may be exposed to imitation or disputes abroad.
Read articleInternational IP planning includes trademarks as well as patents. A company's name and brand are often among the first assets to protect, and businesses preparing to expand abroad increasingly seek advice on trademark filing.
Read articleDeveloping new technology often prompts a patent application. But does a single patent provide the protection the business needs?
Read articleIPLEX patent attorney Yongduck Kim completed the Korea Invention Promotion Association's specialist training on employee invention systems.
Read articleAI Times, a Korean AI publication, has published Managing Partner Yongduck Kim's column on AI patents.
Read articleRussia is a key member of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and a strategic trading hub connecting Europe and Asia. In recent years, Russian consumers have increased their brand awareness and loyalty in various industries such as energy, chemical, food, fashion and IT.
Read articleVietnam's expanding manufacturing and IT sectors are attracting patent applications from overseas companies and research institutions. Growing interest from Korea, Japan, the US and Europe reflects its increasing role in global supply chains.
Read articleKorea introduced partial refusal of trademark applications on February 4, 2023.
Read articleMany businesses file patent applications for new technology, but grant rates may be lower than they expect. Technical merit alone does not establish patentability.
Read articleA product's appearance often creates the first impression in a new market. Because design influences brand identity and purchasing decisions, businesses need to consider how to protect it.
Read articleAI Times, a Korean AI publication, has published Managing Partner Yongduck Kim's column on AI patents.
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Thorsten Volkmann, Christian Isaila and Youngjin Shin visited IPLEX to discuss European patent procedures and international IP practice.
Read articleTrademark protection is an early consideration in international expansion. As a financial and trading hub connecting mainland China with global markets, Hong Kong has particular strategic importance for many businesses.
Read articleA European patent application offers a centralized route to seek protection in several countries. It is an important option for businesses and individual inventors seeking to protect their R&D across Europe.
Read articleDesign disputes affect businesses of all sizes, not only large companies and well-known brands.
Read articleBusinesses often add products after registering a trademark. Does protection for those new goods require a further application?
Read articleFiling alone does not establish a patent right. The process involves application, examination and registration.
Read articleJapan has a well-developed design protection system. Korean businesses and designers should consider the requirements for filing with the Japan Patent Office (JPO).
Read articleBusinesses entering Japan should consider trademark protection early. Although the system resembles Korean practice, procedures and examination standards differ in important respects.
Read articleBusinesses may focus on product functionality and production while overlooking protection for one of their most visible assets: design.
Read articleWhat if an unused trademark registration prevents you from registering your own mark?
Read articleSolo founders and small-business owners often ask whether patent protection is necessary.
Read articleThe United States is a major, highly competitive consumer market where new products can quickly attract imitations. In sectors such as fashion, appliances, furnishings, household goods and IT accessories, securing design protection early can be commercially important.
Read articleToday Newspaper has published IPLEX patent attorney Yongduck Kim's column on AI patents.
Read articleThe US is a major consumer market with intense competition between brands. Korean businesses entering the market should plan their trademark protection early.
Read articleBusinesses often consider US patent protection after filing in Korea. US law follows a first-inventor-to-file system, making filing dates and disclosure history important when planning an application.
Read articleProduct designs can be copied quickly. Subtle differences in shape and pattern also make legal assessments of similarity challenging.
Read articleAI Times, a Korean AI publication, has published Managing Partner Yongduck Kim's column on AI patents.
Read articleYongduck Kim has joined Gyeonggi Technopark's expert roster for management and business support. He will advise SMEs and founders on IP through the Gyeonggi Intellectual Property Center.
Read articleMore businesses are recognizing the importance of trademarks and incorporating them into their commercial planning.
Read articleAn inventive idea may prompt the question, "Could this be patented?" Complex documentation, examination time and cost can nevertheless make the process seem daunting.
Read articleDesign protection is particularly sensitive to trends and timing. Designs can be copied quickly, with multiple similar products appearing during a short commercial season.
Read articleHave you received a notice of reasons for refusal after applying to register your trademark?
Read articleChanges to Korea's Patent Act seek to protect applicants' rights and improve opportunities to obtain patents. The separate application procedure introduced in 2022 is one such measure. How does it differ from a divisional application?
Read articleAs functional differences between products narrow, design becomes more important. Delays in registration can make it difficult to align protection with a product launch.
Read articleAI Times, a Korean AI publication, has published Managing Partner Yongduck Kim's column on AI patents.
Read articleAs a brand enters the market, a similar trademark application by another business can create a conflict.
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Shawn Fan, founder of Hengbo IP Law Firm, visited IPLEX and shared insights into the Chinese trademark system and recent practice.
Read articlePatent examination and registration commonly take one to two years. In rapidly developing fields, delays can give competitors an advantage or cause businesses to miss commercial opportunities.
Read articleHave you wondered why a patent application has not progressed after filing?
Read articleDesign rights protect a product's appearance. A rights holder may use the design itself or authorize another business to use it through a license.
Read articleA brand represents a company's reputation and identity. Trademark licensing can help businesses expand or structure commercial collaborations.
Read articleAI Times, a Korean AI publication, has published Managing Partner Yongduck Kim's column on AI patents.
Read articleCommercializing technology may require exclusive use of a patented invention in a market, rather than permission to use it alongside others. An exclusive patent license is an important option in that situation.
Read articleA Malaysian trademark application may encounter a refusal during examination. For cosmetics, health foods and beauty products, wording that describes natural ingredients can raise distinctiveness issues.
Read articleAI Times, a Korean AI publication, has published Managing Partner Yongduck Kim's column on AI patents.
Read articleIP consultations often reveal uncertainty among business owners about their rights, sometimes compounded by inaccurate information online.
Read articleWhen a company dissolves and enters liquidation, its patents, trademarks and designs are assets that must be addressed. Transfers by a company in liquidation, acting as assignor, involve additional requirements and practical considerations.
Read articleAs product competitiveness moves beyond technology to aesthetic value, design has now become a key business asset that influences the product's first impression, consumer choice, and brand image.
Read articleA growing business may license its brand to others or seek permission to use another company's brand. Trademark licensing provides the framework for these arrangements.
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Patent attorneys from Beijing SUNHOPE Intellectual Property Ltd. in China visited the IPLEX office in Seoul.
Read articleHow a patent is used matters as much as obtaining it. A non-exclusive license may be relevant when a rights holder cannot manufacture a product itself or a business wishes to use another party's technology lawfully.
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Tarun Khurana, founder of KHURANA & KHURANA, visited IPLEX.
Read articlePatents, trademarks, designs and copyright are all forms of intellectual property, but they protect different subject matter. Understanding those differences is essential when deciding how to protect a business's assets.
Read articleBusinesses entering international markets need to plan brand protection. Delays in securing trademark rights can expose even competitive products and services to counterfeiting, imitation and unauthorized use, particularly as online sales and cross-border distribution expand.
Read articleThe aim is to develop a practical international patent strategy that reflects the company's commercial direction and target markets, alongside handling the applications.
Read articleA strong product alone does not ensure success abroad. International expansion requires attention to two key forms of preparation.
Read articleIPLEX is an intellectual property law firm.
Read articleClients discussing patent costs often ask the same questions.
Read articleBusinesses filing in Canada may assume its trademark rules match US practice. An important distinction is that Canada does not require proof of use at the application stage in the same way as the US system.
Read articleTo use IP services through the export voucher program, first discuss the scope of the proposed work and estimated costs with our team.
Read articleGenetic algorithms are established methods in AI and optimization. Inspired by evolution, they generate a population of candidate solutions and progressively improve it through selection, crossover and mutation.
Read articleAI Times has published Yongduck Kim's column on the message conveyed by a US Patent Office director's first official patent signature, examining how the design and description of AI technology affect patent protection.
Read articleYongduck Kim's AI Times column examines Regie.ai's patents and the next stage of competition in enterprise AI. It focuses on the inventions defined in the patent documents, rather than the technology's marketing label alone.
Read articleIPLEX patent attorney Yongduck Kim served as a mentor and demo-day evaluator in Korea University's 2025 international student entrepreneurship program.
Read articleAI Times has published Yongduck Kim's column on core technologies in swarm AI and the implications of Palladyne AI's US patent.
Read articleThe Patent Court held that registered earphone-case designs incorporating design elements of travel luggage were invalid for lack of creativity (2024 Heo 14780 and 2024 Heo 14803). The decisions discuss similarity, ease of creation and standards in fields where designs are commonly adapted between products…
Read articleCombining a washing machine and dryer in a single tower can help households use space more efficiently. LG Electronics’ WashTower illustrates this approach and raises questions about trademark protection for the product name.
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Representatives of Chofn IP Firm visited IPLEX and exchanged views on the Chinese intellectual property system and practice.
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Representatives of CREO Law & IP LPC visited IPLEX to share experience of the Japanese patent system.
Read articleAs AI reshapes industries, patents are becoming strategic business assets as well as a means of protecting technology.
Read articleAI Times has published Yongduck Kim's article on US patent eligibility for AI inventions and international challenges.
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Mei Tsang, a partner at Umberg Zipser LLP, visited IPLEX to exchange views on global IP trends and potential cooperation.
Read articleYongduck Kim’s new book, The Coupang Patent, Trademark and Design Dispute Handbook, has been published.
Read articleAI Times has published Yongduck Kim's analysis of patent technology addressing limitations in collaborative medical-video review.
Read articleAI Times has published Yongduck Kim's analysis of DeepSeek's approach to improving LLM training efficiency.
Read articleElectronic Times has published Yongduck Kim's analysis of Balancehero's patents and the role of AI patent protection in international fintech expansion.
Read articleAI Times has published Yongduck Kim's patent analysis of OpenAI's graphical user interface interaction and automation technology.
Read articleAI Times has published Yongduck Kim's patent analysis of OpenAI's technology for handling long-running operations.
Read articleAI Times has published Yongduck Kim's patent analysis of OpenAI's technology for performing automated tasks using video.
Read articleAI Times has published Yongduck Kim's patent analysis of OpenAI's adaptive user interface and response-generation technology.
Read articleAI Times has published Yongduck Kim's patent analysis of OpenAI's multimodal interaction interface.
Read articleOpenAI’s Patent Strategy and the Global AI Patent Race, a new book by Yongduck Kim, has been published.
Read articleAI Times has published Yongduck Kim's analysis of OpenAI's patent on invoking external APIs through natural-language instructions.
Read articleAI Times published the tenth installment of Yongduck Kim’s OpenAI patent analysis series, on redrawing images using text instructions.
Read articleAI Times has published the ninth article in Yongduck Kim's OpenAI patent analysis series, examining technology for explaining code in natural language.
Read articleIPLEX patent attorney Yongduck Kim completed specialist training with the Korea Invention Promotion Association.
Read articleAI Times has published the eighth article in Yongduck Kim's patent analysis series.
Read articlePatent attorney Yongduck Kim has been appointed as an innovative finance expert by Fintech Center Korea.
Read articleAI Times has published the seventh article in Yongduck Kim's patent analysis series.
Read articleAI Times has published the sixth article in Yongduck Kim's patent analysis series.
Read articleAI Times has published the fifth article in Yongduck Kim's patent analysis series.
Read articleAI Times has published the fourth article in Yongduck Kim's patent analysis series.
Read articleAI Times has published the third article in Yongduck Kim's patent analysis series.
Read articleAI Times has published the second article in Yongduck Kim's patent analysis series.
Read articleAI Times has published the first article in IPLEX patent attorney Yongduck Kim's OpenAI patent analysis series.
Read articleIPLEX announces the publication of The IP Transfer Handbook by Yongduck Kim.
Read articleIntellectual property rights protect the work of creators and inventors and encourage further innovation. Understanding those rights helps individuals and businesses protect the value of their creations.
Read articleCopyright arises when a qualifying work is created. Registration can help establish evidence of rights and support secure transactions. Although registration is not required for copyright to arise, it can provide a clearer basis for asserting those rights in a dispute.
Read articleDocumentation confirming a work's creation in the course of employment can be important to its legal protection and commercial use.
Read articleCharacters can be central to a brand’s identity, storytelling and fan community. Across games, animation, film and publishing, they are valuable commercial assets.
Read articleCopyright arises automatically when a qualifying work is created. Korean law does not require registration for protection to arise, but registration can help rights holders protect their works and assert their rights.
Read articleThis article explains the information needed to apply to register a literary work with the US Copyright Office.
Read articleA transfer of a registered design right must be recorded to take effect. This guide explains the procedure, required documents and costs.
Read articleA transfer of a registered trademark right must be recorded to take effect. This guide covers the procedure, required documents and costs.
Read articleThis article considers how the relevant requirements are established in litigation and disputes, and how evidence should be collected and presented. It introduces provisions including 17 U.S.C. §§102, 106 and 501 and relevant cases to explain practical approaches to copyright protection…
Read articleA patent assignment must be recorded to complete the transfer of the right. This guide explains the procedure, required documents and costs.
Read articleThe U.S. Copyright Office publishes a variety of guidelines and statistics to ensure that copyright registration goes smoothly. This article is based on the Registration Processing Times data published by the U.S. Copyright Office.
Read articleAudiovisual Works and Motion Pictures
Read articleCopyright protects creative work and supports compensation for its use. What role does registration play?
Read articleIPLEX supported Nota's technology-based listing preparations. Nota received 'A, A' technology-evaluation grades, reported as a first in the AI model-compression field.
Read articleIPLEX obtained a decision granting its client's petition for non-use trademark cancellation.
Read articleStrategies for Securing AI Patents, a new book by Yongduck Kim, Managing Partner of IPLEX, is being published as Volume 021 in the CommunicationBooks Artificial Intelligence series.
Read articlePatent attorney Yongduck Kim has contributed an article on IP rights transfers for AI companies.
Read articleOhmyNews has published an article by IPLEX patent attorney Yongduck Kim.
Read articleAI Times published Yongduck Kim’s article on unsupervised learning technologies and patent examples, examining how AI identifies hidden patterns and structures in data.
Read articleArtificial intelligence (AI), one of the key areas of computer science that artificially implements human learning, reasoning, and perceptual ability, is driving innovative change in many areas.
Read articleYongduck Kim delivered a lecture as part of ARKO Korea Arts Lab's April Artboost program.
Read articleIPLEX patent attorney Yongduck Kim will speak at ARKO Korea Arts Lab's April 2024 Artboost program.
Read articleGyeonggi Technopark has added Yongduck Kim to its expert roster for management and business support. Through the Gyeonggi Intellectual Property Center, he will provide IP advice to SMEs and founders.
Read articleIPLEX Managing Partner Yongduck Kim has joined the lecturer and mentor pool for intellectual property, patents and technology.
Read articleIPLEX patent attorney Yongduck Kim has joined the Seoul Business Agency's expert pool.
Read articleThe Korea Artificial Intelligence Association is a nonprofit organization that supports the AI ecosystem by connecting businesses, talent and information.
Read articleBio Agora is an online communication platform where researchers and entrepreneurs in the health industry, mid-sized companies, investment institutions, and commercialization organizations can come together to exchange technology and product information and cooperate on a regular basis.
Read articleIPLEX has partnered with QuotaBook, a Korean equity-management platform.
Read articleOhmyNews has published Yongduck Kim's article on intellectual property and the PPS Excellent Product designation.
Read articleIPLEX announces the publication of Strategies for Excellent Product Designation in Public Procurement by patent attorney Yongduck Kim.
Read articleThe applied-for mark consists of “iSeum.” The cited mark combines a graphic element with Korean and English wording, including “SEUM MEDIA CO. LTD.” The marks differ significantly in their graphic elements, scripts and number of letters.
Read articleClass 32: apple juice, carbonated water, orange juice, bottled water for non-medical purposes, beer and stout, among other goods.
Read articleAI Times has published an article by patent attorney Yongduck Kim. The image above links to the full text.
Read articleFor the cited provision of Article 7(1) of the Trademark Act, similarity of goods is assessed according to ordinary trading perceptions. Relevant factors include quality, shape, purpose, production and sales channels, and the range of consumers.
Read articleThe applied-for mark consists of “CARTE BLUE,” while the cited mark combines a graphic with “CARTEBLANCHE.” The graphic elements and different lettering distinguish their appearances.
Read articleThe applied-for mark is a coined expression written in seven Korean characters. The analysis considers how Korean consumers and traders would understand its English-derived wording and pronunciation.
Read articleBoth marks consist of a single dog figure. Each can be referred to as a dog and evokes that concept, supporting similarity in sound and meaning.
Read article“ART” can mean art, technique or skill, but it is not a customary description of the confectionery goods covered by the marks.
Read articleTV receivers, audio (for home use), video receivers, recording equipment (not for film use), cassette players, computer monitors, etc.
Read articleBaby powder, baby oil, cosmetic cream, hand cream, cosmetic brushes, skin milk, nourishing cream, cold cream, powder containers and powder puffs.
Read articleThe applied-for trademark and service mark stylize the “O” in “NOW.” The graphic treatment does not prevent the wording from being recognized as “NOW.”
Read articleThe registered mark consists of “SOLO.” Cited mark 1 combines “SOLOTEC” with a flag-like graphic passing through the upper center of its fourth letter, “O.” The graphic and different number of letters distinguish the marks visually.
Read articleClass 25: jackets, short coats, safari jackets, dress shirts, T-shirts, cotton trousers, socks, leather shoes and hats.
Read articleClass 18: leather key cases, wallets not made of precious metal, briefcases, travel bags and handbags.
Read articleThe applied-for mark combines Korean “Anbeullin” with cursive Latin lettering. The cited mark places mixed-case printed lettering below a ribbon graphic. Their appearances differ, and a conceptual comparison is not available because one is coined and the other combines a Western personal name with a graphic.
Read articleThe registered mark combines the Korean name Cheokju Donghaebi with the Chinese characters “陟州東海碑”, arranged vertically. The cited mark combines a graphic with a smaller Korean rendering of that name. They differ markedly in their graphics, Chinese characters and the size of the Korean lettering, so their appearances…
Read articleThe applied-for service mark joins the outer end of an “@” symbol to the beginning of a handwritten “i”, and combines that graphic with “NET”. Cited service mark 1 combines a graphic with “INET”, including a dot between “I” and “NET” and a stylized “N”…
Read articleThe graphic and word elements of each mark are not so inseparably connected that separate assessment would be unnatural. Nor does their combination create a new concept. The elements can therefore be considered separately when comparing the marks.
Read articleA foreign-language mark is generally assessed by the pronunciation readily used by Korean traders and consumers. Where they actually recognize and pronounce the mark in a particular way, that usage must be considered.
Read articleA composite mark need not always be pronounced or understood in its entirety. Where its elements are separable, an independently distinctive element may determine how the mark is referred to or understood; more than one such reading may be possible.
Read articleSimilarity requires an objective assessment of appearance, sound and meaning, considering the marks as a whole and as encountered separately in trade. The question is whether consumers may confuse their commercial origin; similarity in one aspect must be assessed in the overall context.
Read articleA composite word mark is generally assessed by the appearance, sound and meaning of the wording as a whole. An independently distinctive element may also be relevant where consumers can recognize it as indicating origin.
Read articleAI Times has published Yongduck Kim's article on technology-based special listings and technology business plans for AI companies. Kim serves as a technical evaluation panel member for a specialist evaluation agency.
Read articleA service mark distinguishes the source of services and helps prevent confusion. Because this function is ordinarily performed by the mark as a whole, the comparison considers its overall appearance, sound and meaning.
Read articleMicroprocessors: Class 9 (originally Class 39; reclassified on 7 June 2002).
Read articleThe registered service mark consists of the Korean wording “Onggijangi Hangari Kalguksu,” while the earlier mark consists of “Hangari.” Viewed as complete expressions, they differ in appearance, sound and meaning. The analysis then considers the role of individual elements within that overall assessment.
Read articleThe 2023 Korea Invention Patent Exhibition promotes the development and commercialization of inventions through exhibitions and awards recognizing innovative technologies and products.
Read articleThe applied-for mark has upper and lower elements. “AUDIO SYSTEMS,” in the lower portion, is a term commonly used for the designated goods, which affects the assessment of that element's distinctiveness.
Read articleTrademark and service-mark similarity is assessed objectively through overall and separate observation of appearance, sound and meaning. The question is whether the marks may cause confusion about commercial origin; similarity in one aspect is considered within that overall assessment.
Read articleThe registered mark combines Korean wording transliterating “NOBLESSE,” meaning nobility, with the Korean word for furniture. Red dots separate the characters and a graphic sits above them. Its appearance differs from the earlier registered marks.
Read articleService-mark similarity depends on an objective comparison of appearance, sound and meaning, considering each mark as a whole and as encountered separately. The assessment asks whether ordinary consumers may confuse the source of the designated services.
Read articleUnless its elements form a naturally inseparable whole, a composite mark may be referred to or understood by a distinctive part. A single mark may therefore have more than one recognizable pronunciation or meaning.
Read articleYongduck Kim delivered a lecture on patents and intellectual property for the second NH Seed cohort.
Read articleCompare the marks' appearance, sound and meaning in light of how ordinary consumers and traders perceive them. The central question is whether their use may cause confusion about the source of the goods.
Read articleTrademark similarity is assessed through appearance, sound and meaning, with attention to consumers' overall impression and the likelihood of confusion about commercial origin.
Read articleOn Wednesday the 18th, IPLEX patent attorney Yongduck Kim delivered an in-person seminar on technology-based special listings.
Read articleYongduck Kim completed one-to-one mentoring sessions for the Design Start-Up Package program organized by the Seoul Design Startup Center.
Read articleFor marks used on the same goods, compare appearance, sound and meaning and assess whether the overall impression may lead consumers or traders to confuse the source.
Read articleThe assessment considers appearance, sound and meaning in the context of the designated goods, focusing on the risk of confusion about their commercial origin.
Read articleSimilarity requires an objective assessment of the marks as a whole and as encountered separately. Appearance, sound and meaning inform whether the overall impressions distinguish their commercial origins.
Read articleA trademark identifies commercial origin and helps prevent confusion. The comparison therefore ordinarily considers the mark as a whole, including its appearance, sound and meaning.
Read articleService-mark similarity turns on appearance, sound and meaning and the overall impression on ordinary consumers and traders. The issue is whether they may confuse the source of the services.
Read articleAssess the marks objectively, as a whole and through separate observation of appearance, sound and meaning. The relevant question is whether their use for the designated goods may cause confusion about commercial origin.
Read articleFor marks used on the same goods, appearance, sound and meaning are considered together to assess whether consumers or traders may confuse their source.
Read articleYongduck Kim has been invited to deliver IP training for NH Seed's second cohort. The lecture will explain the importance of protecting technology and the patent registration process for current and prospective entrepreneurs addressing challenges in agriculture through agtech.
Read articleThe similarity assessment considers appearance, sound and meaning against the overall impression the marks make on ordinary consumers and traders.
Read articleAs an external technology-evaluation advisor for KOSDAQ listings, Yongduck Kim has seen businesses struggle to prepare technology business plans. This article examines how to approach that work.
Read articleAs interest in Korea's technology-based listing route grows, clients often ask how many patents they need. In consulting work, I explain that a larger portfolio is not always more advantageous—a point some find surprising coming from a patent attorney.
Read articleDSP 1:1 Mentoring, organized by Seoul Design Startup Center, provides expert mentoring for pre- and early-stage entrepreneurs. On August 11 (Fri), patent attorney Yongduck Kim will participate as a mentor.
Read articleMetaverse, AI and VR technologies are bringing established IP categories into closer contact. Infringement issues and disputes in markets such as the United States and China underscore the importance of an IP strategy for Korea's convergent content industries.
Read articleAn autoencoder is a neural network trained through unsupervised learning to encode data and reconstruct an output as close as possible to the input.
Read articleSmart factories are a prominent application of Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies. Predictive maintenance helps optimize maintenance policies, reduce costs and improve equipment availability and reliability. Prognostics is one of the approaches attracting attention in this field.
Read articleOur client Underdog faced suspension of its Amazon seller account following a patent infringement allegation. IPLEX prepared an FTO report, appeal letter and plan of action supporting non-infringement, and the account was reinstated.
Read articleStarGAN (Unified Generative Adversarial Networks for Multi-Domain Image-to-Image Translation)
Read articleThis article examines the paper “Deep Residual Learning for Image Recognition.”
Read articleThis article explains two techniques used in deep learning: mixup training and label smoothing.
Read articleECCV (European Conference on Computer Vision) 2020: An analysis of end-to-end object detection with transformers.
Read articleAutoencoders are widely used to detect faults in manufacturing equipment. This article examines a MakinaRocks patent concerning autoencoder training.
Read articleProstate cancer has sometimes been called “the emperor's cancer” because prominent figures such as John Kerry have been diagnosed with it, and “father's cancer” because it commonly affects men over 50.
Read articlePattern-recognition research explores how to apply efficient human recognition processes to computers, including the classification of input patterns into defined groups.
Read articleShortages of customer-service staff and infrastructure can make it difficult for businesses to meet customer expectations. Chatbots are being introduced to supplement these resources and improve service quality.
Read articleAn earlier article introduced generative adversarial networks (GANs) in the context of deepfakes. Their operating principles suggest a broad range of generative applications, but GANs also face technical challenges. This article examines those limitations.
Read articleOccasional forgetfulness becomes more common with age and may cause concern about dementia. Memory decline alone, however, is not enough to establish that diagnosis.
Read articleDeepfake refers to the use of AI technology to synthesize the face of a particular person in a particular video. In April 2018, a video of former US President Barack Obama criticizing President Donald Trump became known to the world.
Read articleSUALAB provides deep-learning inspection solutions for machine vision. It began with defect detection in textile printing, introducing machine vision to a process that lacked automated inspection in what the article describes as a world first.
Read articleFollowing an earlier analysis of Lunit's medical-imaging patents, this article examines another CNN-based approach: analyzing cell images to identify the number and location of mitotic cells.
Read articleAI-based medical-image analysis and disease diagnosis are developing rapidly. Startups including VUNO, Lunit and JLK Inspection are researching these technologies and ways to improve analytical accuracy. This article examines AI-based medical imaging.
Read articleAs you can see in the article below, AI can also be used for predicting equipment failure.
Read articleRemoving noise from training data matters: models trained on noisy data can be less accurate.
Read articleIPLEX signed a memorandum of understanding with 2hrs Academy on the 18th.
Read articleThis article explains supervised learning, one of the most widely used approaches to machine learning.
Read articleThe film Last Holiday is a comedy about an American woman who takes a final trip to Europe after a hospital mistakenly diagnoses her with a terminal illness.
Read articleAI Times has published a column by IPLEX patent attorney Yongduck Kim. His experience includes IP work for companies in Korea and overseas, including LG Electronics, Samsung Electronics, Baidu, SUALAB and MakinaRocks, in fields such as AI, smart factories and blockchain.
Read articleAI is increasingly used for predictive maintenance (PdM) of industrial equipment. In settings such as semiconductor plants, the approach anticipates equipment anomalies so maintenance can be planned before failure.
Read articleYongduck Kim, Managing Partner of IPLEX, has published Design Protection Law: Protect Your Designs. The book explains why design protection matters, what the Design Protection Act protects, and how similarity is assessed through examination standards and court decisions.
Read articleAs AI technology develops rapidly, patent activity in the field is also growing.
Read articleDrawing on his experience as an external technology-evaluation advisor for KOSDAQ listings, Yongduck Kim examines how AI businesses can prepare for Korea's technology-based listing route. His analysis has been published in AI Times.
Read articleAn SME representative recently sought advice after receiving a patent infringement warning by certified mail. This article explains practical considerations in preparing a response.
Read articleThe applied-for mark and the earlier registered mark differ visually in their wording, including “THE MAGIC” and “Steam,” and in their graphic elements.
Read articleComparison of the registered and earlier service marks for financial services, including development finance, international finance, investment, guarantees, lending and accounting.
Read articleThe court compares appearance, sound and meaning and considers the marks' overall impression on consumers and traders. For use on the same goods, the central issue is the likelihood of confusion about source.
Read articleSimilarity is assessed through the marks' appearance, sound and meaning, considering consumers' overall impression and potential confusion about source. The analysis also considers how the individual word and graphic elements contribute to that impression.
Read articleA composite service mark may be referred to or understood through an independently distinctive element where separating its components would not be unnatural in trade. More than one pronunciation or meaning may therefore arise.
Read articleIPLEX patent attorney Yongduck Kim has been certified as an intellectual property instructor.
Read articleThe applied-for mark combines wording with simple green and blue geometric elements. The analysis considers whether those common shapes contribute distinctiveness to the mark.
Read articleA mark combining words or graphics need not always be pronounced as a whole. Where the elements are not naturally inseparable, a distinctive part may determine how consumers refer to the mark.
Read articleCompare the marks' appearance, sound and meaning as ordinary consumers and traders perceive them, then assess whether their overall impressions create a likelihood of confusion about the goods' origin.
Read articleThe applied-for and earlier registered marks differ in appearance. The applied-for mark is a coined expression, so a meaningful conceptual comparison cannot be made.
Read articleThe applied-for trademark and service mark “uniPOS” combine “uni” and “POS” as a single expression. “POS,” short for “Point of Sale,” lacks distinctiveness in the relevant context. The combined mark was therefore found dissimilar to the earlier registered service mark “POS.”
Read articleThe applied-for mark combines a large “M” at the upper left, two intersecting curves in the center and “Plus” at the lower right. The words “Mobile card” appear above in very small lettering.
Read articleThe analysis considers appearance, sound and meaning objectively, as a whole and through separate observation. A shared dominant visual impression can be important, particularly when the marks are used on the same goods.
Read articleThe plaintiff argued that the registered mark resembled the dominant elements of earlier registrations 1 through 9. Those elements combine two opposing “e” shapes, open at the outer sides and without a central horizontal line. The registered mark instead depicts the eighth Greek letter, theta.
Read articleThe wording in both signs consists of the geographic name “Gyeongju” and the generic term “bread,” which lack distinctiveness on their own. The comparison therefore turns to the graphics, including the registered mark's stylized face-pattern roof tile and cloud-like features.
Read articleSimilarity depends on appearance, sound and meaning in the context of the designated goods, and whether consumers or traders may confuse their commercial origin.
Read articleThe comparison considers appearance, sound and meaning objectively, as a whole and through separate observation. The issue is whether use for the designated goods may cause consumers or traders to confuse their source.
Read articleThe applied-for mark consists of “AUTOMAGICALLY,” describing something that happens automatically with an apparently magical element and a better-than-expected result. The word combines the ideas expressed by “automatic” and “magical.”
Read articleWhen marks are used on the same goods, compare their appearance, sound and meaning objectively, both overall and as encountered separately, to assess the likelihood of source confusion.
Read articleFormer Article 7(1) of the Trademark Act listed marks ineligible for registration notwithstanding Article 6. The cited text reflects amendments dated December 10, 1993; August 22, 1997; February 3, 2001; and December 31, 2004.
Read articleThe court considers appearance, sound and meaning objectively and in the overall impression of each mark. Visual features may be particularly significant where they dominate that impression.
Read articleA composite mark need not always be understood or pronounced in full. Where its elements are not naturally inseparable, comparison may focus on a distinctive part.
Read articleService-mark similarity is assessed objectively through overall and separate observation of appearance, sound and meaning, focusing on how consumers and traders perceive the source of the services.
Read articleThe wording “DOHC” is unrelated to the bag and wallet retail services at issue and dominates the mark, giving it strong distinctiveness. The small bird graphic makes a limited contribution to the overall impression.
Read articleYongduck Kim draws on blockchain knowledge and IP work involving Kakao and TMAX affiliates to analyze the US trademark dispute concerning Nike shoe NFTs.
Read article① Both marks consist of stylized anchor designs and do not readily evoke a name or concept other than an anchor. ② The court considered the written and visual evidence in Exhibits 10 through 93, including their subparts, together with the overall arguments.
Read articleWhere the components of a mark are not naturally inseparable, an independently distinctive element may determine how consumers pronounce or understand it.
Read articleAnalysis of a dominant element or separate component supports the assessment of the mark as a whole. Even if one aspect of appearance, sound or meaning is similar, the marks may remain distinguishable where consumers' overall impressions clearly avoid confusion about origin.
Read articleComparison of the earlier registered mark and the applied-for mark for veterinary medicines and vaccines, including products for dogs, cats and horses.
Read articleThe registered service mark and the earlier mark consisting of “Ceragem” were found dissimilar in appearance and concept.
Read articleThe cited Trademark Act provision requires the applied-for mark to be identical or similar to another person's earlier registration and to cover identical or similar goods. Similarity is assessed objectively through the mark's overall appearance, sound and meaning.
Read articleVisual similarity concerns whether the words, graphics and symbols of the marks could be confused as indicators of origin. Assess their overall visual impressions as encountered separately, rather than relying solely on a side-by-side comparison.
Read articleThe registered mark comprises five Chinese characters. The smaller “化粧品” element directly indicates or evokes the designated cosmetics and lacks distinctiveness. By contrast, “雪黃” is a coined expression unrelated to the designated goods and is distinctive.
Read articleThe applied-for mark comprises three Korean syllables, “Enlux,” while the earlier mark comprises the five Latin letters “emnux.” Their different scripts distinguish their appearance. Both are coined expressions without a particular meaning, so a conceptual comparison cannot be made.
Read articleDesignated goods: adjuvants for cancer treatment, cell-regeneration preparations, anticancer drugs, biological preparations, tranquilizers, peripheral-nervous-system medicines, anti-inflammatory medicines, medical diagnostic preparations, circulatory-system medicines and tumor-treatment medicines (Class 5, Schedule 1 under Article 6(1) of the Enforcement Rules of the Trademark Act).
Read articleThe assessment considers appearance, sound and meaning, the overall impression on ordinary consumers and traders, and the likelihood of confusion about commercial origin.
Read articleBroadcaster Kim Eo-jun, who presents “Kim Eo-jun's Humility Is Hard: News Factory,” faced a complaint alleging a violation of the Trademark Act.
Read articleThe court examines the words, graphics and symbols displayed in each mark to assess whether their overall visual impressions could cause confusion as indicators of origin.
Read articleThe similarity assessment considers appearance, sound and meaning against the overall impression the marks make on ordinary consumers and traders.
Read articleA composite word mark is generally assessed through the appearance, sound and meaning of the wording as a whole. An independently distinctive component may also influence how the mark is perceived in trade.
Read articleYongduck Kim analyzes US trademark cases drawing on IP experience involving Korean and international companies, including LG Electronics, Samsung Electronics, Baidu and Xiaomi.
Read articleIPLEX's patent attorneys bring years of experience with AI and IoT technologies and a detailed understanding of the technical issues in these fields.
Read articleUnder the cited Article 7(1) provision, the registered mark must be similar to the mark used for comparison. Similarity is assessed objectively through overall and separate observation of appearance, sound and meaning for goods of the same kind.
Read articleTrademark similarity is assessed through appearance, sound and meaning, considering the overall impression on consumers and traders and the risk of confusion about origin.
Read articleFor a mark combining symbols, words, graphics or colors, the general approach assesses the appearance, sound and meaning of the mark as a whole.
Read articleSands Lab, which received technology-based listing consulting from IPLEX, passed the Korea Exchange's preliminary listing review.
Read article