Patent Office Shares Korea's COVID-19 Response Technology 'Navigation' Domestically and Internationally

Main screen of Patent Information Navigation (English). Provided by the Korean Intellectual Property Office.

[Asia Economy (Daejeon) Reporter Jeong Il-woong] The Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) is disclosing information related to COVID-19 testing, including domestic diagnostic kits and walk-through testing booths, through the "COVID-19 Patent Information Navigation."

According to KIPO on the 24th, the navigation was launched on the 19th of last month and contains a wealth of technology information that can be commercialized, including rights information on COVID-19 related technologies, patents that were made public after failure to secure rights, patents that have been abandoned or expired, and patents filed only overseas.

For example, the navigation includes information on alternative treatments such as Avigan and Ciclesonide, technologies related to masks including filter replacement, prevention of air leakage, and performance improvement, various virus sterilization devices, and easily detachable medical protective clothing.

Above all, KIPO expects that the patent rights information on treatments can be used as information to invoke compulsory licenses for domestic production of treatments when COVID-19 treatments are developed in other countries or alternative treatments need to be introduced.

A compulsory license is a non-voluntary license agreement imposed on a patent holder allowing government agencies or third parties to use the patent rights for national emergencies or public interest.

The navigation has gained significant interest overseas after being introduced by foreign media such as Bloomberg at the end of last month. Major intellectual property countries worldwide are showing interest in the utility of information sharing and are requesting that information previously provided only in Korean be translated into English.

Accordingly, KIPO plans to provide patent information and analysis reports, which have mainly been offered in Korean, also in English to create conditions for countries around the world to develop new technologies based on patent information, thereby enabling global cooperation to overcome the current COVID-19 crisis.

Meanwhile, newly disclosed information on the "K-Walk-Through Testing Booth" in the navigation includes explanatory videos and production company information for each type, such as the negative pressure consultation booth (manufactured by Yangji Hospital) and the mixed negative and positive pressure consultation booth (manufactured by Goryeo Machinery).

Additionally, diagnostic kit information provides basic details such as company names and contact information of domestic COVID-19 diagnostic kit manufacturers and exporters, as well as detailed information including company size, production capacity, product features, and certification status.

As this information is produced and shared in both Korean and English, KIPO anticipates that when related technologies are introduced in medical sites overseas, it will help facilitate quick contact with domestic manufacturers to promptly supply equipment.

Park Won-joo, Commissioner of KIPO, said, "At this point when COVID-19 is spreading worldwide, if Korean diagnostic kits and walk-through testing technologies, recognized for their rapid and accurate testing, are properly disseminated, they are expected to contribute to overcoming the crisis faced by each country." He added, "Above all, KIPO plans to utilize the navigation not merely as a provider of patent information but as a platform for sharing various technological information to overcome COVID-19."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.