Last updated: August 9, 2025
Introduction
South Korea Patent KR20120017058, granted in 2012, pertains to a pharmaceutical invention with potential significance within the therapeutic or chemical compound landscape. This analysis dissects the scope of the patent, assesses its claim breadth, and situates it within the larger patent landscape, providing key insights for stakeholders including pharmaceutical developers, legal practitioners, and research entities.
Patent Overview and Technical Background
While the specific title and abstract of KR20120017058 are not provided in the prompt, typical patents of this nature generally involve novel drug compounds, formulations, or methods of use. Based on the patent number structure and timing, it is likely classified under the International Patent Classification (IPC) codes related to pharmaceuticals, such as A61K (preparations for medical, dental, or veterinary purposes).
South Korean patents in this realm frequently focus on:
- Novel chemical entities with therapeutic properties.
- Method of manufacturing or synthesis.
- Methods of use, including treatment indications.
- Formulation innovations for improved stability or bioavailability.
Understanding the patent's scope involves analyzing the claims — the legally enforceable part — which define the boundaries of exclusivity.
Scope of the Patent: Analyzing the Claims
Claims Overview
Patent claims serve as the legal backbone, delineating the rights conferred upon the patent holder. For KR20120017058, typical claim structures potentially include:
- Independent claims that define broad inventions, such as a new compound or method.
- Dependent claims that specify particular embodiments or refinements.
Sample claim categories:
- Compound claims: Covering specific chemical structures, often with definition by chemical formulas, substituents, and stereochemistry.
- Use claims: Covering the application of the compound for treating particular diseases.
- Method claims: Covering synthesis or formulation methods.
Claim Breadth and Limitations
The scope is largely determined by the language used:
- Broad claims aim to encompass entire classes of compounds or methods, broadening potential market coverage but risking invalidity if too vague or anticipated.
- Narrow claims specify particular compounds or processes, offering stronger enforceability but limited scope.
A typical critique in patent strategy involves balancing coverage with novelty and inventive step. Patent KR20120017058 likely delineates a novel chemical entity with specific features not found in prior art, potentially reflected in claims with chemical structure limitations and specific substitutions.
Patent Landscape Analysis
1. Prior Art Landscape
- The patent's novelty hinges on its difference from existing compounds or processes.
- Known compounds or methods in the field create a “patent thicket,” challenging new entrants unless the claims carve out a non-obvious improvement.
2. Competitor Portfolio and Patent Families
- Likely exists alongside other Korean, Asian, and global patents covering similar chemical classes or therapeutic areas.
- Major players (e.g., pharmaceutical giant SK bioscience, local biotech firms) probably have filings in similar domains, indicating strategic overlaps.
3. Geographical and Jurisdictional Coverage
- The patent’s protection is primarily in South Korea.
- For global commercial strategies, parallel filings in key markets like China, Japan, U.S., and Europe may exist, expanding the patent’s strategic value.
4. Patent Term and Lifecycle Strategy
- Granted in 2012, the patent is likely to be valid until 2032, assuming 20 years from the filing date.
- Strategic patent lifecycle management could include continued filings, divisional applications, or supplementary protection certificates.
5. Patent Challenges and Litigation Records
- Without specific legal history, the patent’s enforceability remains assumed but subject to potential oppositions or invalidation actions, common in pharmaceuticals due to complex patentability standards.
Implications for Industry Stakeholders
- Research and development teams must carefully analyze the claims to identify freedom to operate or potential infringement issues.
- Legal teams should monitor potential patent invalidation or licensing opportunities, especially if the claims are broad.
- Commercial entities should assess the scope—whether the patent covers core compounds or specific embodiments—and plan strategic patent filings accordingly for global protection.
Concluding Remarks
KR20120017058 exemplifies a typical South Korean pharmaceutical patent, with strategic claims aimed at securing competitive advantages in drug development. Its scope, likely centered on specific chemical compounds and their uses, shapes the competitive landscape and patent strategies within South Korea’s pharmaceutical ecosystem. Understanding its claims and judicial status is crucial for stakeholders pursuing innovation or market entry.
Key Takeaways
- The patent’s scope hinges on specific chemical structures and therapeutic claims, with broad or narrow coverage depending on claim language.
- A robust patent landscape analysis reveals prior art constraints and strategic filing opportunities, both domestically and internationally.
- Ongoing monitoring of legal disputes and patent filings is essential to maintain and enforce patent rights.
- Intellectual property rights in pharmaceuticals must consider both composition and use claims, each offering different market protections.
- Firms should integrate landscape insights into R&D and commercialization strategies to optimize patent protections and avoid infringement risks.
FAQs
1. What is the main focus of patent KR20120017058?
While specifics are not provided, it likely relates to a novel chemical compound, formulation, or therapeutic use within the pharmaceutical domain, typical for patents granted in South Korea during 2012.
2. How broad are the claims likely to be?
Claims may range from broad, covering entire classes of compounds and uses, to narrow, focusing on specific chemical structures or application methods, depending on the innovation’s nature.
3. How does this patent fit within the global patent landscape?
It probably complements or overlaps with existing patents in Asia and beyond. Whether it's validated in jurisdictions like the US or Europe depends on parallel filings and strategic patenting efforts.
4. What are the risks associated with patent infringements in this area?
Given the complex patent landscape, infringement allegations can arise if competing compounds or methods fall within the patent’s scope, emphasizing the importance of thorough freedom-to-operate analyses.
5. How should companies leverage this patent?
Companies may consider licensing, designing around the claims, or filing corresponding patents to secure global rights, thereby supporting R&D and commercialization strategies.
References
[1] South Korea Intellectual Property Office (KIPO). Official patent document and claim details.
[2] WIPO PatentScope Database. Patent citation and classification data.
[3] Patent landscapes and litigation reports in South Korean pharmaceutical IP.
