International Intellectual Property Traning Institute (IIPTI)
International Intellectual Property Traning Institute (IIPTI)
There is a need to educate a range of experts, officials, practitioners and users in the substance and implications of the field. Furthermore, as nations become in- creasingly interdependent, there is a reco- gnition that this is not merely a domestic matter but something which requires in- ternational cooperation and exchange.
In this new environment. the IIPTI, es- tablished in 1987 as a suborganization of the KoreŻn Industrial Property Office (KIPO) has assumed a leading role in the region. The IIPTI has a broad mandate to train government and private sector per- sonnel in the intellectual property field. The IIPTI also takes pride in its role as an internationa1 training center for intellec- tual property experts from developing na- tions. The IIPTI is also actively pursuing close cooperation with training centers. research institutes and patent offices around world. The institute strives to ac- comodate the needs of all sectors in and out of the country by devising and imple- menting diversifited training programs which are current and relevant to the everchanging atmosphere fo IPR. W ith a wealth of accumulated experience and modern training facilities, we will continue our integral role of promoting the development of human resources in the IP field
The IIPTI, with the encouragement and support of all people concerned, will retain its committment to serving as a research and training center for Korea, Asia and the Pacific region.
In Korea, the introduction of patent protection for chemical or pharmaceutical substances in 1987 and the emergence of intellectual property as a trade issue brought the subject of intellectual property rights to the public attention. Th e Subsequent policy discussion and education has expanded the general level of awareness of the issues.
Due to the rapid development of industrial technology the number of high tech nology patent applications increased. As a result. the need to improve the legal and technical ability of examiners and trial examiners became of crucial importance. This urgent need is not unique to korea. The international environment commands that we harmonize industrial property systems globally by assisting other developing countries in their quests to develop human resources through information exchange and training.
In early 1987, KIPO petitioned the Government of the Republic of Korea to allow it to establish a speciali zed training institute in conjunction with its long term development plan for patent administration. As a resu lt. the International Intellectual Property Training Institute was opened in 1987. Subsequently. in February of 1 991. IIPTI moved onto the current premises located in Taedok Science town in Taejon City to provide a pleasant environment for training and to facilitate the exchange of information among institutions.
Domestically, the goals of the Institute are:
Firstly, to broadly train intellectual property experts in order to promote the development and spread of a m odern intellectual property system.
Secondly, to promote an understanding of the importance of industrial propertyrights among the general public.
Thirdly. to do research and to make available information relating to industrial property thereby fostering the ability to develop and utilize technology.
Internationally, the goals are:
To serve the international community by providing training opportunities for intellectual property experts from other countries and to strengthenmutual cooperation toward the development of the intellectual property system.
Training methods include lectures, joint discussions and practical experience including on-the-job training at KIPO. Lectures cover theoretical and practical matters.
IIPTI aims to accelerate the development of IP human resources by facilitating exchanges of related information and personnel with local and international organizations.
Government Sector Training Courses
Training courses for government officials are largely categorized into the following five sections.
1. Courses for examiners & trial examiners at KIPO
These courses aim to improve the legal and technical ability of examiners & trial l examiners and to enh ance the qualitative level of the examination. The courses co- ver a wide scope of topics including IP related laws. criteria of examination, and case studies.
2. Courses for officials involved in economic affairs
These courses aim to offer to officials in related ministries background knowledge and perspectives on intellectual property. The courses help them explore approp riate economic policy directions within the context of an international environ ment of technological competition.
3. Course for Judicial trainees
This course is designed for Judicial trainees who are to become judges, prose cutors and lawyers. The co urse intends to increase litigation and judgement skills and is taught through case analysis and judicial precedents in intellectual propertv disputes. 4. Course for enforcement officials
The aim of this course is to increase the efficiency of IPR enforcement. It is designed for customs officials, police, and other officials. It provides systematic enforcement skills and techniques in anticipation of various I PR infringements including counterfeit trademarks and the import/export of counterfeits.
5. Courses for educators
These courses offer basic knowledge on intellectual property and case-centered lectures on invention tec hniques to the education managers and teachers in charge of "invention clubs" in the primar y. middle, and high schools. They can encourage and share the excitement of invention with school children. It is also useful in exploring a desirable educational direction for promoting an inventive atmosphere in the sch ools.
Private Sector Training Courses
Various levels of training courses each with differing scope are available for the private sector. From 1987 to 1994, an average of 2,000 people per year have attended through these programs.
1. Course for the patent attorneys in apprenticeship
This course aims to cultivate practical abilities and reinforce the legal background of the patent attorneys in apprenticeship who have passed the patent attorney's examination. The curriculum covers a wide range of sub jects, from theoretical lectures on IP related laws, foreign intel lectual property systems, criteria of exa- minations to case study. examination and trial examination pratices. A dissertation is required for complet ion of the course.. The duration of the course is 1 year. including 6 months of on-the-job- training
2. Courses for IP specialists
Seven courses are provided at various levels for employees at enterprises and law firms. The basic objective is to develop practical capabilities necessary for effective acquisition and management of industrial property rights. These courses expose the trainees to a wide scope of theore t ical lectures and the practical knoid wledge necessary to perform at their job sites. The courses contents cover industrial property rights, patent dispute case studies. management of industrial property rights, and foreign industrial property systems.
3. Course for researchers at research institutes
This course provides the practical knowledge necessary for management and protection of technology which arises in the course of R D.It is useful for obtaining patent management techniques and promoting the ability to utilize p atent information. The emphasis is upon providing practical exercises in patent specification & claim writing m ethod s, IPC classification,and the patent document and information search etc.
In addition to these courses, IIPTI develops and operates other special shortterm courses including those for individual inventors and university students.
The IIPTI also organizes nation wide circuit-lecture programs for students. At the request of local organizations and universities, the IIPTI also holds local and international training events such as seminars or workshops on specific issues in intellectual property.
One course is for intellectual property related workers and officials from developing countries around the world. Funds are provided by the Korea International Cooperation Agency(KOICA). This course provides e ssential and practical knowledge for upgrading trainees expertise in the intellectual property field, mainly foc u sing on the experience of Korea. The course includes field trips and briefings at institutions related to intel l ectual property rights. This course normally funs for I5-20 days.
The other course, jointly organized with WIPO, in cooperation with UNDP, is for IP experts from Asia, and the Pacific region. This course aims to enhance the professionalism and efficiency of participants in th i s field. It helps train experts to become more knowledgeable, and highly skilled in dealing with IPR issues. In addition, it fortifies cooperative relations and networks for improving and harmonizing IPS in the region .
Since the opening of IIPTI, about 400 foreigners from developing countries have been trained through these courses
The IIPTI has maintained close relationship with UNDP/WIPO. The establil, shment of IIPTI was implemented in conjunctio n with those two institutions under the UNDP National Project entitled "Establishment of the International In telle ctual Property Training Institute". This project gave IIPTI professors and staff opportunities to visit a nd st udy at foreign patent offices and specialized institutes. Foreign experts in various technological fields were also inv i ted to give lectures at KIPO and IIPTI. Books and reference materials purchased with the project fund have added to the quality of the IIPTI information service center.
The international training courses, jointly organized with WIPO, exemplify the benefits of mutual cooperation. 1n addit ion, IIPTI is ready and willing to explore the potential for cooperative endeavors between law school faculties and in s titutes around the world devoted to teaching and researching intellectual property.
In November 1991, the Institute entered an agreement with the Franklin Pierce Law Center(FPLC) of the Un ited States. IIPTI students receive advanced standing toward FPLC's Master of Intellectual Property (MIP ) degree. In addition, the agreement provides I1PTI and FPLC with the opportunity to exchange information concerning intellectual property.
In 1994, we became a member of the International Association for the Advancement of Teaching and Resea rch in Intellectual Property(ATRIP) as a coopera ting institution. In the same year. we formed close ties with the Max Planck Institute(MPI). These cooperative activites will greatly facilitate the exchange of formation and experts, and the develment of curricula.
The IIPTI desires to expand its role as an international center for regional discussion and cooperation in intellectual property. Negotiations have begun with international agencies in the field and with institutes and offices in other n ations to develop and jointly conduct a range of educational courses and programs concerned with international technic al assistance. The IIPTI wishes to expand its activities and its contacts and arrangements with others in order to fulfi ll its goals of international cooperation.
The central building consists of 6 lecture rooms and various education support faciliti es inclu ding a language laboratory, discussion rooms, mock trial court, international conference hall, auditorium, library, A/V operator's room and an information service center.
The international conference hall is fully equipped with simultaneous interpretation facilities.
Dormitories, located in 3 three-story buildings, are capable of housing up to 222 people.
A multi-purpose lawn sports stadium and 2 tennis courts are available for recreational activities.
The IIPTI is located at Taedok Science Town in Taejon City 160km, south of Seoul.
If you choose to travel by rail, you have your choice of the regular Saemaul-ho, Mugunghwa-ho, and Tongil-ho classes of trains. The easiest way to make the trip to downtown Taejon from the IIPTI is to take a bus at the fro n t gate of Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Techo' logy(KAIST), KAIST is located about 5 minutes' walk from IIPTI. The trip from downtown Taejon to IIPTI takes about 20 minutes by taxi or about 40 minutes by bus.
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