Understanding the process and terminology for filing a patent application is crucial when dealing with intellectual property in Korea. This guide covers the essential Korean vocabulary and phrases related to patent applications (특허출원), helping you navigate discussions with patent attorneys or understand official documents.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 특허출원
Pronunciation: teuk-heo-chul-won
Meaning: Patent application (The act of filing for a patent)
Basic Vocabulary
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Expression: 특허
Pronunciation: teuk-heo
Meaning: Patent -
Expression: 출원
Pronunciation: chul-won
Meaning: Application (filing) -
Expression: 발명
Pronunciation: bal-myeong
Meaning: Invention -
Expression: 발명자
Pronunciation: bal-myeong-ja
Meaning: Inventor -
Expression: 출원인
Pronunciation: chul-won-in
Meaning: Applicant -
Expression: 특허청
Pronunciation: teuk-heo-cheong
Meaning: Patent Office (Specifically KIPO – Korean Intellectual Property Office) -
Expression: 변리사
Pronunciation: byeon-ri-sa
Meaning: Patent attorney -
Expression: 심사
Pronunciation: sim-sa
Meaning: Examination -
Expression: 등록
Pronunciation: deung-rok
Meaning: Registration -
Expression: 거절
Pronunciation: geo-jeol
Meaning: Rejection -
Expression: 명세서
Pronunciation: myeong-se-seo
Meaning: Specification (patent document detailing the invention) -
Expression: 청구항
Pronunciation: cheong-gu-hang
Meaning: Claim(s) (part of the patent defining the scope of protection)
Filing a Patent Application
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Expression: 특허를 출원하다
Pronunciation: teuk-heo-reul chul-won-ha-da
Meaning: To file a patent application -
Expression: 특허출원을 준비하고 있습니다.
Pronunciation: teuk-heo-chul-won-eul jun-bi-ha-go it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: We are preparing a patent application. -
Expression: 변리사와 상담하고 싶습니다.
Pronunciation: byeon-ri-sa-wa sang-dam-ha-go sip-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I would like to consult with a patent attorney. -
Expression: 특허 명세서를 작성해야 합니다.
Pronunciation: teuk-heo myeong-se-seo-reul jak-seong-hae-ya ham-ni-da.
Meaning: We need to write the patent specification. -
Expression: 출원 서류를 특허청에 제출했습니다.
Pronunciation: chul-won seo-ryu-reul teuk-heo-cheong-e je-chul-haet-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: We submitted the application documents to the Patent Office. -
Expression: 출원 번호가 나왔나요?
Pronunciation: chul-won beon-ho-ga na-wan-na-yo?
Meaning: Has the application number been issued? -
Expression: 특허 심사를 신청했습니다.
Pronunciation: teuk-heo sim-sa-reul sin-cheong-haet-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: We requested a patent examination. -
Expression: 우선권 주장을 해야 합니다.
Pronunciation: u-seon-gwon ju-jang-eul hae-ya ham-ni-da.
Meaning: We need to claim priority. -
Expression: 해외 특허출원도 고려 중입니다.
Pronunciation: hae-oe teuk-heo-chul-won-do go-ryeo jung-im-ni-da.
Meaning: We are also considering filing international patent applications. -
Expression: 출원 수수료를 납부했습니다.
Pronunciation: chul-won su-su-ryo-reul nap-bu-haet-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: We paid the application fee. -
Expression: 발명 내용을 설명해 주세요.
Pronunciation: bal-myeong nae-yong-eul seol-myeong-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please explain the invention. -
Expression: 선행 기술 조사가 필요합니다.
Pronunciation: seon-haeng gi-sul jo-sa-ga pil-yo-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: A prior art search is necessary.
Discussing Patent Status
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Expression: 특허출원 진행 상황을 알려주세요.
Pronunciation: teuk-heo-chul-won jin-haeng sang-hwang-eul al-lyeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please inform me about the status of the patent application. -
Expression: 현재 심사 대기 중입니다.
Pronunciation: hyeon-jae sim-sa dae-gi jung-im-ni-da.
Meaning: It is currently awaiting examination. -
Expression: 특허 심사가 진행 중입니다.
Pronunciation: teuk-heo sim-sa-ga jin-haeng jung-im-ni-da.
Meaning: The patent examination is in progress. -
Expression: 특허 등록 결정이 나왔습니다.
Pronunciation: teuk-heo deung-rok gyeol-jeong-i na-wat-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: A decision for patent registration has been issued. -
Expression: 특허 거절 이유 통지서를 받았습니다.
Pronunciation: teuk-heo geo-jeol i-yu tong-ji-seo-reul bad-at-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: We received a notice of reasons for rejection (office action). -
Expression: 의견서 및 보정서를 제출해야 합니다.
Pronunciation: ui-gyeon-seo mit bo-jeong-seo-reul je-chul-hae-ya ham-ni-da.
Meaning: We need to submit a written opinion and/or amendment. -
Expression: 등록료 납부 기한이 언제까지인가요?
Pronunciation: deung-rong-nyo nap-bu gi-han-i eon-je-kka-ji-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: What is the deadline for paying the registration fee? -
Expression: 특허권의 존속 기간은 20년입니다.
Pronunciation: teuk-heo-gwon-ui jon-sok gi-gan-eun i-sim-nyeon-im-ni-da.
Meaning: The duration of the patent right is 20 years. -
Expression: 이 발명은 특허받을 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: i bal-myeong-eun teuk-heo-bat-eul su it-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Can this invention be patented? / Is this invention patentable? -
Expression: 특허 침해 여부를 검토해 주세요.
Pronunciation: teuk-heo chim-hae yeo-bu-reul geom-to-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please review for potential patent infringement. -
Expression: 비밀 유지 계약서를 작성해야 합니다.
Pronunciation: bi-mil yu-ji gye-yak-seo-reul jak-seong-hae-ya ham-ni-da.
Meaning: We need to draft a non-disclosure agreement (NDA). -
Expression: 심사관의 의견에 어떻게 대응해야 할까요?
Pronunciation: sim-sa-gwan-ui ui-gyeon-e eo-tteo-ke dae-eung-hae-ya hal-kka-yo?
Meaning: How should we respond to the examiner’s opinion?
Korean Culture Notes
Formality is Key: Interactions with the Korean Intellectual Property Office (특허청) and patent attorneys (변리사) require formal language and respectful conduct. Using appropriate honorifics and maintaining a professional demeanor is essential.
The Role of the Byeonrisa: Patent attorneys (변리사) are highly specialized professionals in Korea. They handle the entire patent application process, from drafting specifications to responding to office actions. Building a good relationship with a competent 변리사 is crucial for success.
Emphasis on Innovation: South Korea places a strong emphasis on technological innovation and intellectual property rights. Filing patents is seen as a vital step for businesses to protect their inventions and maintain competitiveness.
Strict Deadlines: The Korean patent system operates under strict deadlines for submitting documents, responding to office actions, and paying fees. Missing these deadlines can result in the abandonment of the application, so timeliness is critical.
Types of IP: Be aware of different types of intellectual property rights in Korea, including invention patents (특허), utility models (실용신안 – for minor inventions), and design patents (디자인).
Real Conversation Example
Situation: An inventor (A) meets with a Korean patent attorney (B) to discuss filing a patent application for a new invention.
Roles: A = Inventor (Client), B = Patent Attorney (변리사)
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Expression: A: 안녕하세요, 변리사님. 새로운 발명에 대해 특허출원을 상담하고 싶어서 왔습니다.
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, byeon-ri-sa-nim. sae-ro-un bal-myeong-e dae-hae teuk-heo-chul-won-eul sang-dam-ha-go sip-eo-seo wat-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Hello, Patent Attorney. I came to consult about filing a patent application for a new invention. -
Expression: B: 네, 어서 오십시오. 어떤 발명이신가요? 자세히 설명해 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: ne, eo-seo o-sip-si-o. eo-tteon bal-myeong-i-sin-ga-yo? ja-se-hi seol-myeong-hae ju-si-get-eo-yo?
Meaning: Yes, welcome. What kind of invention is it? Could you please explain it in detail? -
Expression: A: 네, [발명 내용 설명]. 이 기술로 특허를 받을 수 있을지 궁금합니다.
Pronunciation: ne, [bal-myeong nae-yong seol-myeong]. i gi-sul-lo teuk-heo-reul bat-eul su it-eul-ji gung-geum-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, [Explains the invention]. I’m wondering if it’s possible to get a patent for this technology. -
Expression: B: 설명 감사합니다. 먼저 선행 기술 조사를 통해 특허 가능성을 검토해 보는 것이 좋겠습니다. 그리고 특허 명세서 작성이 필요합니다.
Pronunciation: seol-myeong gam-sa-ham-ni-da. meon-jeo seon-haeng gi-sul jo-sa-reul tong-hae teuk-heo ga-neung-seong-eul geom-to-hae bo-neun geo-si jo-ket-seum-ni-da. geu-ri-go teuk-heo myeong-se-seo jak-seong-i pil-yo-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you for the explanation. First, it would be good to review the patentability through a prior art search. Also, drafting the patent specification is necessary. -
Expression: A: 특허출원 절차와 예상 비용은 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: teuk-heo-chul-won jeol-cha-wa ye-sang bi-yong-eun eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What is the patent application procedure and the estimated cost? -
Expression: B: 출원 서류 준비, 제출, 심사 청구, 그리고 등록까지 단계별로 진행됩니다. 비용은 각 단계와 발명의 복잡성에 따라 달라지며, 자세한 견적은 추후 안내해 드리겠습니다.
Pronunciation: chul-won seo-ryu jun-bi, je-chul, sim-sa cheong-gu, geu-ri-go deung-rok-kka-ji dan-gye-byeol-lo jin-haeng-doem-ni-da. bi-yong-eun gak dan-gye-wa bal-myeong-ui bok-jap-seong-e tta-ra dal-la-ji-myeo, ja-se-han gyeon-jeog-eun chu-hu an-nae-hae deu-ri-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: It proceeds step-by-step: preparing application documents, submission, requesting examination, and registration. The cost varies depending on each stage and the complexity of the invention; I will provide a detailed estimate later.
Practice Tips
Mastering patent-related Korean requires understanding specific legal and technical terms! Try reviewing the vocabulary list regularly and practice forming sentences related to the application process~ Familiarize yourself with the key verbs like 출원하다 (to apply), 심사하다 (to examine), and 등록하다 (to register). Role-playing a consultation with a patent attorney can also be very helpful. Good luck protecting your innovations in Korea!
