KIPO Operates 'Online Examination Response Reservation' to "Enhance Communication"

On the 21st, the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) announced that it will introduce and operate the 'Online Examination Response Reservation System' starting next month.

This system operates on the electronic application platform 'KIPOnara,' where patent customers can enter inquiries such as the contents of the notification, the expected examination processing time, and contact information where they can be reached. Then, an examiner calls at the desired time to provide answers.

Through this, patent customers will be able to receive accurate answers based on the examiner's thorough prior review.

Provided by the Korean Intellectual Property Office

Additionally, for simple responses, answers can also be provided via text message or email, strengthening communication between patent customers and examiners, according to KIPO.

The Online Examination Response Reservation System is officially introduced and operated after improving the inconveniences of the 'Examiner Consultation Application System,' which was piloted in April.

Users can access it through KIPOnara, and in the second half of the year, QR codes will be introduced on examination-related documents sent out to enhance accessibility.

Furthermore, KIPO has decided to maintain telephone and video consultations, which were temporarily allowed during the social distancing period to maintain communication, even in the post-COVID-19 era.

This decision reflects the annually increasing trend in the total number of consultation applications and the positive evaluations from patent customers who experienced telephone consultations.

Kim Ji-su, Director of the Patent Examination Planning Bureau at KIPO, said, “We will strive to ensure that patent customers can communicate accurately with examiners even in the post-COVID-19 era,” adding, “Our primary goal is to diversify and improve communication methods related to examination from the perspective of patent customers and to secure strong intellectual property rights.”

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