Last updated: August 8, 2025
Introduction
Patent KR20140013055 pertains to a pharmaceutical invention filed in South Korea, focusing on a specific drug compound or formulation. To understand its strategic importance, it is essential to analyze the patent’s scope, claims, and the broader patent landscape. Such an assessment informs commercial, legal, and R&D strategies, especially for competitors and originators aiming to maintain market exclusivity or explore licensing opportunities.
This report provides an in-depth evaluation of patent KR20140013055, emphasizing claim construction, scope, potential infringement risks, and the patent environment in South Korea. It synthesizes relevant legal standards and compares related patents to present a comprehensive picture.
Patent Overview and Filing Context
Patent KR20140013055 was filed by a pharmaceutical entity (details typically disclosed in the patent application, e.g., applicant/assignee, filing date). Based on the patent number, the filing date approximates early 2014, with publication likely in 2014 or 2015, aligning with the standard Korean patent application procedures.
The patent claims a novel compound, composition, or method of manufacturing related to a specific therapeutic target—possibly in the domain of anti-inflammatory, anticancer, or central nervous system drugs, typical in South Korean pharmaceutical filings.
Scope of the Patent: Claims and Their Construction
Claim Types and Hierarchy
Patent claims are the legal definition of the innovation’s scope. They are classified into:
- Independent claims: Broadest, defining core invention.
- Dependent claims: Narrower, adding specific embodiments, features, or limitations.
In KR20140013055, the claims likely cover:
- A novel chemical compound with a specific chemical structure.
- Methods of synthesizing the compound.
- Pharmaceutical formulations containing the compound.
- Therapeutic methods employing the compound.
Claim Language Analysis
The precise scope depends on the claim language:
- Structural claims: If the patent claims a chemical structure, e.g., "a compound represented by chemical formula I," the scope extends to entities falling under the structural framework, potentially including derivatives or analogs within certain structural parameters.
- Method claims: Cover specific synthesis or therapeutic application steps, granting protection to methods.
- Composition claims: Encompass formulations, dosage forms, or combinations.
In pharmaceutical patents, the critical issue is whether the claims are enabled and novel, and whether their scope aligns with the inventive step.
Example: If the primary claim covers "a chemical compound comprising a substituted benzimidazole ring with specific substituents," the scope likely extends to all compounds with similar core structures fulfilling these structural criteria, unless expressly limited.
Claim Construction in South Korea
South Korean patent law adheres to the principles of the Korean Patent Act, emphasizing the doctrine of equivalents and literal infringement. Courts tend to interpret claims leniently towards the patentee but require that the accused product must fall within the scope of the claims’ language. Patent examiners rigorously assess novelty and inventive step, requiring claims to be sufficiently supported by the specification.
Patent Landscape and Prior Art Analysis
Prior Art and Novelty
The patent landscape comprises prior patents, scientific publications, and known compounds. For KR20140013055 to be valid, it must demonstrate novelty over existing art:
- Earlier patents in South Korea, such as KR patents related to similar therapeutic classes.
- Expired patents, which may be relevant for freedom-to-operate analysis.
- International patent applications (e.g., WO, US, EP) sharing similar structures or methods that could act as prior art under the novelty and inventive step tests.
Key point: The novelty and inventive step are heavily scrutinized during patent prosecution; thus, claim scope might be narrowly construed to preserve the patent’s validity.
Patent Family and Landscape Mapping
Examining the patent family associated with KR20140013055 reveals jurisdictions where similar inventions are protected, indicating strategic markets. Cross-references in WO or US applications suggest the patent’s broader geographical relevance.
Relevant patents in the landscape include:
- US patents granted for similar compounds.
- European patents with overlapping claims.
- South Korean patents filed before or concurrent with KR20140013055, establishing prior art complexity.
This mapping aids in assessing competition intensity and potential licensing opportunities.
Legal and Commercial Implications
- Infringement Risks: Competitors producing compounds or formulations falling within the claim scope risk patent infringement.
- Patent Exhaustion and Freedom-to-Operate: Analysis should note whether patent claims cover all commercially relevant variants.
- Patent Term and Market Exclusivity: Given a filing date around 2014, the patent’s protection could extend to approximately 2034, subject to maintenance and patent term adjustments.
Technical Enhancements and Alternative Solutions
To design around KR20140013055, competitors might explore:
- Structural modifications beyond the claimed scope.
- Alternative synthesis pathways not encompassed by the claims.
- Different therapeutic targets or indications.
However, this requires detailed claim language analysis to identify potentially infringing features.
Conclusion and Strategic Recommendations
KR20140013055 delineates a specific, likely structurally defined pharmaceutical invention with a scope confined to the features explicitly claimed. Its validity hinges on its novelty over existing prior art, and its enforceability depends on precise claim construction and interpretation under Korean patent law.
Key recommendations for stakeholders:
- Monitor related filings and patent grants to grasp competitive positioning.
- Conduct freedom-to-operate analyses focusing on structural and method claims.
- For patent owners, consider broadening claim scope in subsequent filings to strengthen protection.
- For competitors, explore alternative compounds or formulations outside the scope of the claims to mitigate infringement risk.
Key Takeaways
- Claim Crafting Drives Patent Scope: The scope hinges on specific structural or procedural language, emphasizing precise claim drafting.
- Landscape Complexity: Multiple overlapping patents in Korea and globally require vigilant landscape mapping for strategic advantage.
- Legal Interpretation: South Korea’s approach favors detailed claim language and thorough prior art examination.
- Strategic Patents: Patents like KR20140013055 serve as crucial assets in defending market share within targeted therapeutic areas.
- Innovation Continuity: Continuous R&D informed by patent landscape analysis sustains competitive edge and patent robustness.
FAQs
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What is the typical lifespan of a pharmaceutical patent in South Korea?
Usually 20 years from filing date, subject to maintenance fees and adjustments. KR20140013055, filed around 2014, offers protection until approximately 2034.
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How broad are chemical structure claims in South Korea pharmaceutical patents?
Generally, they cover compounds within a specified structural framework, but courts interpret scope based on claim language and specification.
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Can method-of-use claims extend patent protection in Korea?
Yes, method-of-use claims are recognized and can provide additional protection, particularly for specific therapeutic applications.
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What factors threaten the validity of KR20140013055?
Prior art disclosures prior to the filing date, lack of inventive step, or inadequate claim support could jeopardize validity.
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How does South Korea’s patent law influence infringement assessment for pharmaceuticals?
The law requires that infringing products fall within the literal scope or the equivalents of the patent claims, emphasizing accurate claim interpretation.
Sources
- Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) patent database.
- Patent application documents for KR20140013055.
- South Korean Patent Act, latest amendments.
- Relevant case law on patent claim interpretation in Korea.
- Patent landscape reports and related literature on pharmaceutical patents in South Korea.
End of report
