News in Brief

KIPO Boosts 2026 Budget to Strengthen Brand Protection

The Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) has announced a budget of KRW 7.248 billion ($5.2 million) for 2026, representing a 2.7% increase from the current year. This budget aims to enhance the protection of domestic brands and support innovative technology companies.

The plan emphasises strengthening the creation, protection, and use of intellectual property (IP), as well as improving patent and trial services. Over KRW 4.1 billion will be allocated to major projects, including the introduction of AI in examination processes and a new initiative to analyse overseas patent systems to assist exporters in securing IP rights abroad.

To assist technology firms, KIPO will expand projects that enable companies to use IP as collateral for stable financing.

Measures to combat counterfeiting will also be strengthened due to a rise in cases of foreign entities misusing Korean trademarks, such as ‘Hangang Noodles’ and ‘Kim Kim Soju’.