Qualitative comparison of the qualities of patents out of IP5 countries

Abstract

The quality of a patent is an important concept for estimating economic value of the patent and for identifying the integrity of the patent as well. This thesis compares the quality of patents out of the IP(Intellectual Property)5 countries with the world’s top five patent offices(Korean Intellectual Property Office(KIPO), United States Patent and Trademark Office(USPTO), European Patent Office(EPO), Japanese Patent Office(JPO), State Intellectual Property Office(SIPO) of China) by analyzing international applications under the Patent Cooperation Treaty(PCT) which have been filed by IP5 countries and also that have been examined by the KIPO at the national phase of the PCT. With this empirical research, we can get to understand the qualities of patents of IP5 countries in a comparative way. This research will be useful to patent experts and economic experts interested in patents as well for identifying the factors affecting the qualities of patents and their applications.