EPO and KIPO strengthen co-operation during high-level meeting

EPO President Campinos with KIPO Commissioner Kim in Munich on 30 April 

EPO President António Campinos welcomed Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) Commissioner Kim Wan Ki in Munich for strategic talks on patent quality, AI policy, and international co-operation. It was Commissioner Kim’s first official visit to the EPO since taking office.

On 30 April, EPO President António Campinos welcomed Mr Kim Wan Ki, Commissioner of the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), to the EPO headquarters in Munich. It was Commissioner Kim’s first official visit to the EPO and his first meeting with the EPO President since taking office in June 2024. The visit underscored the strong, trust-based partnership between the two offices and their shared strategic priorities.

A shared vision for the future

President Campinos welcomed the visit as a sign of continued trust and collaboration: “The EPO and KIPO have a strong and dynamic partnership, built on a history of co-operation and a shared commitment to improving the patent system for the benefit of users,” he said. Commissioner Kim expressed his appreciation for the ongoing strategic dialogue and reaffirmed KIPO’s interest in deepening co-operation across all areas of mutual interest. "We are pleased with the progress made and look forward to further strengthening our long-standing partnership with the EPO," said  Commissioner Kim. "Our joint efforts will undoubtedly enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of cooperation within the IP5 framework, ultimately benefiting all our users."

Focus on quality, AI, Unitary Patent and global co-operation

The meeting covered a wide range of topics, including progress on the Unitary Patent, insights into patent application trends from the latest Patent Index 2024, the implementation of the Quality Action Plan 2025, and the EPO’s new policy on the use of AI. With respect to the Unitary Patent, its growing popularity among Korean patent owners was highlighted, with the uptake of the Unitary Patent by Korean patentees increasing from 9.7% of all European patents granted in 2023 to 18.9% in 2024; and the two offices agreed to explore ways to further promote its benefits.  Co-operation within the IP5 framework also featured prominently, with the offices reaffirming their commitment to advancing efficiency, enhancing user services, and ensuring long-term alignment through joint initiatives.

Republic of Korea: a leader in patenting and technology

The discussions also highlighted the Republic of Korea’s growing role as a driver of global innovation. In 2024, Korean applicants filed 13 107 patent applications at the EPO – an increase of 4.2% compared to 2023 and 57% more than in 2019. Notable areas of strength include patent applications related to electrical machinery (+15.8% in 2024 vs 2023) and battery-related technologies (+20%). Samsung was the leading applicant at the EPO in 2024, returning to the top spot for the first time since 2020, and LG was No.3 in the applicant ranking.