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WIPO Welcomes Republic of Korea's Support for Development Projects

Geneva, October 1, 2004
Press Releases PR/2004/395

The Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Dr. Kamil Idris, held talks on the sidelines of the WIPO Assemblies, which are meeting from September 27 to October 5, 2004, with the Commissioner of the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), Mr. Jong-Kap Kim, to discuss implementation of an arrangement to enhance cooperation between both Organizations and strengthen the intellectual property system for developing and least developed countries. Under the arrangement, KIPO earmarked an amount of one billion Korean Won (more than one million Swiss Francs) for these activities in the 2004-2005 biennium in the form of funds-in-trust with WIPO.

Dr. Idris expressed thanks for the Republic of Korea's generous contribution and applauded the commitment of the Korean Government to modernizing and promoting the use of the intellectual property system in developing and least developed countries.

As part of the arrangement, in collaboration with WIPO, KIPO will make available to other offices that receive international patent applications (under the Patent Cooperation Treaty – PCT) software that will facilitate the management of these applications in both electronic and paper form. The deployment of the system called PCT-Receiving Office Administration (PCT-ROAD) is expected in the first half of 2005.

"We welcome the Republic of Korea's offer to make available, free of charge, this software which will make the system more accessible to applicants from developing countries," said Dr. Idris. The Director General said "WIPO has been implementing a range of technological enhancements aimed at simplifying the PCT," adding "an international patent system that is accessible to all is a prerequisite for the promotion of innovation and inventiveness."

Commissioner Kim said PCT-ROAD had resulted in significant efficiency gains for KIPO, adding "We look forward to sharing this product with our counterparts in other countries to support them in the delivery of their services." Commissioner Kim said "The availability of PCT-ROAD will enable all countries to take advantage of the benefits of electronic filing under the PCT."

In February 2004, with availability of the free PCT-SAFE Client software, PCT e-filing became accessible to users worldwide. PCT filers can now file PCT applications with the PCT-SAFE software provided by WIPO, and benefit from reduced e-filing fees of up to 300 Swiss francs. Nevertheless, many PCT contracting states from developing countries are unable to take advantage of electronic filing due to limitations in their resources and IT infrastructure. Applicants using these receiving offices have not, therefore, been able to enjoy the benefits of electronic filing.

In a move to ensure timely delivery of its service, KIPO has developed its own receiving system for e-filing and its own business processing system, both of which have been available to Korean applicants since January 2004. KIPO, in cooperation with WIPO, is now adapting its system to make it available to all PCT receiving offices, thereby making PCT electronic filing accessible to all intellectual property offices. Once PCT-ROAD is fully completed, all intellectual property offices will be able to download the free PCT-ROAD system from the web sites of WIPO and KIPO.

PCT e-filing became available with WIPO as PCT receiving Office (RO/IB) in February 2004, using PCT-SAFE client software for filing either over the Internet or on physical media such as CD-R or floppy diskette.

PCT-ROAD is a stand-alone system to handle electronic international applications filed on physical media, such as CD-R or floppy diskette and also maintains the possibility of filing on paper or using PCT-EASY. Once PCT-ROAD is installed in patent offices, PCT applicants will be able to benefit from the e-filing fee reductions (up to 300 CHF or equivalent per application) when filing with their own receiving office.

Major features of the system include its ability to handle electronic filings, as follows:

  • Process PCT electronic filings received on physical media or other means
  • Check that the international application conforms to the legal and technical requirements under the PCT
  • Assign a receipt number and issue confirmation of receiving an international application
  • Upload filings from physical media such as a CD-R to a database on a PC Workstation, so that the Home Copy and Record Copy requirements can be met
  • Manage International Applications (Home Copy).

For further information, please contact the Media Relations and Public Affairs Section at WIPO:

  • Tel: (+41 22) - 338 81 61 or 338 95 47
  • Fax: (+41 22) - 338 88 10
  • Email: publicinf@wipo.int.
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