shutterstock_1621031059_lightspring
25 March 2020PatentsRory O'Neill

South Korea is tracking COVID-19 patent data to tackle fake treatments

South Korea has launched a “patent information navigation” system to provide accurate information on the latest inventions and treatments aimed at tackling the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is hoped the system will help manufacturers in the development of products that could be effective in curbing the spread of coronavirus.

Explaining the launch of the service, the  Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) said it was also aimed at tackling the spread of ‘fake news’ around the pandemic, especially a time of heightened anxiety.

The navigation system allows users to view domestic and international patent trends related to COVID-19, including for potential treatments, vaccines, and diagnostics.

“The main purpose of this service is to provide information to companies so that they can quickly create goods to respond to the coronavirus,” KIPO Hyun Jae-yong told  Bloomberg. “The goal is to help domestic companies understand as much technical information as possible,” Hyun added.

KIPO president Park Won-Ju said he hoped the navigation system could be of benefit to both the public and manufacturers.

The collated information is intended to also provide support to government agencies working to tackle the crisis, including for reviewing the activation of compulsory licences for technologies which could be useful.

Members of the public have also been invited to submit their own ideas for products to tackle COVID-19.

KIPO is also looking to grant relief to any users whose patent applications have been adversely affected by the crisis.

Yesterday, March 24, the office said it would grant extensions for deadlines to submit documents or pay fees missed due to the coronavirus.

The office also reiterated its call for users to avoid visiting the office in person and to instead communicate with examiners by phone or using KIPO’s online systems.

Did you enjoy reading this story?  Sign up to our free daily newsletters and get stories sent like this straight to your inbox.

Today's top stories:

BMW secures injunction against rickshaw maker at Delhi court

USPTO launches platform to drive patent filer diversity

'Over The Rainbow' writer's estate drops Apple bootleg suit

Already registered?

Login to your account

To request a FREE 2-week trial subscription, please signup.
NOTE - this can take up to 48hrs to be approved.

Two Weeks Free Trial

For multi-user price options, or to check if your company has an existing subscription that we can add you to for FREE, please email Adrian Tapping at atapping@newtonmedia.co.uk


More on this story

Patents
5 May 2020   The US Patent and Trademark Office has launched a platform aimed at supporting patent owners wanting to license technology related to the “prevention, treatment, and diagnosis” of COVID-19.
Trademarks
7 May 2020   Recent weeks have brought dramatic changes to how we work and live, with an increasing amount of people working remotely and spending more time and money on the internet. Unfortunately, international crises provide the perfect opportunity for criminals to take advantage.
Patents
1 July 2020   From today, businesses will benefit from a new IP cooperation between Singapore and the Republic of Korea (ROK), allowing quicker access to markets in both countries.