(A) comparative legal study on inter-state patent organizations for the implications on the harmonization of the inter-korean and east asian patent system

Abstract

According to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), there are five regional inter-state patent organizations globally: the EPO & UPC, ARIPO, OAPI, GCCPO and EAPO. This paper examines the deriving factors of each organization from a comparative law perspective and examines the characteristics of each organization by categorizing patent practice and litigation stages. Based on the analysis, the purpose of this research is to devise means for inter-Korean patent cooperation and (North) East Asia patent harmonization. First, this paper analyzes the DPRK invention & patent system through a literature review and examines it’s actual practice and technological trends through technical analysis based on the International Patent Classification (IPC) listed in the DPRK Official Journal of Invention to derive measures for inter-Korean patent cooperation. Second, this research seeks means for East Asian patent harmonization, which has been evolving in terms of both the patent policy and trade agreements.