The Ministry of Intellectual Property said it will newly operate an exclusive fast-track for ultra-rapid examinations for startups in artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced bio starting on the 23rd. The aim is to make the examination process more agile so patents can be secured faster in new industries where technology changes quickly.
The core of this reform is that ultra-rapid examinations will be concentrated on AI and advanced bio technologies filed by startups, venture corporations, and Inno-Biz corporations. For the two fields, 2,000 ultra-rapid examinations will be allocated annually for each, for a total of 4,000. With the ultra-rapid track, applicants can receive a first-office action within one month of application, while the prioritized track will provide the first result within two months. Compared to the average 14.7 months for a regular examination, this will significantly reduce the waiting time.
Interagency linked support will also be strengthened. The Ministry of Intellectual Property decided to grant eligibility to apply for export-promotion ultra-rapid examinations to corporations that participated in the Ministry of SMEs and Startups' program supporting overseas expansion by startups. Even startups without export records can use the ultra-rapid track if they participated in the program, which is expected to speed up securing the rights needed in the process of entering overseas markets.
The scope of prioritized examinations will also be expanded so technologies held by universities and public research institutes can lead to actual startups and commercialization. Going forward, not only preliminary startups that utilize technologies from universities and public research institutes but also preliminary startups pursued by professors and researchers affiliated with those institutions will be eligible to apply for prioritized examinations.
Jeong Yeon-woo, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Intellectual Property, said, "To support the revitalization of technology-based startups, which are the backbone of our economy, securing rights quickly is paramount," and added, "Starting with the creation of an exclusive ultra-rapid examination track for startups in AI and bio, we will take the lead in fostering a startup boom by continually increasing the number of examiners so startups in all technology fields can secure patents early."