The Korea Intellectual Property Administration (KIPA) said on the 15th that it will expand its fast-track patent review program, which cuts waiting times to within one month, to youth startups and to technologies related to artificial intelligence data centers and physical AI, starting in November this year.
The fast-track program was first introduced in October last year for semiconductors and secondary batteries, and AI and bio-related technologies were added in February this year. As a result, review times for AI and bio patents fell from 20 months under standard review to an average of one month under the fast-track program. The program, previously limited to specific technologies, will now cover patents filed by youth startups across the board. The aim is to allow young entrepreneurs in a range of fields, not just AI and bio, to receive faster review results.
Technologies related to AI data centers and physical AI will also be newly added to both the priority review and fast-track review programs. The measure is intended to help companies secure core technologies for future industrial competitiveness more quickly. To limit delays in standard reviews, the number of applications supported will be capped at about 4,000 a year. Details including eligibility and application requirements will be announced in November.
"For startups, a patent is more than a simple right — it is a key asset for attracting investment, entering markets and growing the business," said Jung Yeon-woo, vice minister of the Korea Intellectual Property Administration. "We will expand support to youth startups and to national core technologies so that innovative ideas can be turned into rights quickly and lead to commercialization."
