IP filings surge 3,800% in five years as KT&G becomes the only private company honored at Korea’s Kn

The number of domestic and international intellectual property applications by KT&G has increased from 27 in 2017 to 1,065 in 2022, representing a growth of over 3,800%. At the same time, the total number of registered trademarks has reached 7,132.

According to a report by Tobacco Reporter on September 18, KT&G was awarded the Minister of the Interior and Safety Award at the 12th Korea Knowledge Awards, hosted by the Ministry of Interior and Safety.

The Korea Knowledge Awards are the highest honor in the domestic knowledge field, awarded to government, public institutions, and private enterprises that have achieved outstanding accomplishments in knowledge management, promoted government innovation, and enhanced corporate competitiveness.

KT&G received this award for its achievements in knowledge management, including the establishment of a dedicated intellectual property department and the formulation of intellectual property processes, making it the only private company to be honored.

KT&G has established a dedicated intellectual property organization and developed a unique intellectual property computer system for efficient management. Additionally, they promote internal R&D and technological innovation by hosting events such as Patent Week to discover and cultivate employees' innovative business ideas, leading to patent applications.

The number of domestic patent applications increased from 82 in 2017 to 444 in 2022, a staggering increase of 440%. Meanwhile, the number of domestic and international intellectual property applications surged from 27 in 2017 to 1,065 in 2022, marking a growth of over 3,800%. As of now, the total number of registered trademarks has reached 7,132.

Previously, KT&G received the Prime Minister's Award at the 56th Invention Day event hosted by the Korean Intellectual Property Office in 2021, recognizing its significant contributions to protecting national industrial technology and promoting the intellectual property system. Furthermore, in the 2021 European Patent Index released by the European Patent Office, KT&G ranked third among Korean companies, following Samsung and LG. This year, KT&G was also selected by global intellectual property solutions company LexisNexis as one of the top 100 companies with global innovation momentum.

Cho Seong-moon, head of KT&G's R&D department, stated: "Based on our technological competitiveness and rapid adaptability to the changing market, KT&G will continue to develop into a world-class enterprise by continuously enhancing our knowledge management capabilities."