What is IP Management Certification?
Operated by Korea's Intellectual Property Office, this certification evaluates and certifies how systematically a company uses intellectual property — patents, trademarks, designs — as part of its business strategy.
Application Process
Self-assessment (online): Scoring 50 points or above (45 points or above for certain tiers) qualifies you to apply for a formal certification reviewApplication submission: Filed through the Korea Invention Promotion AssociationDocument review: An evaluation panel reviews submitted documentsOn-site review: The evaluation panel conducts an on-site assessmentCertification decision: The Korea IP Office makes the final certification decisionApplications can be submitted year-round, with no fixed application window.
Benefits for Certified Companies
Eligibility for expedited patent examination70% reduction in patent annual registration feesBonus points when applying to various government support programsDiscounted fees for SMART5 (patent information service)Evaluation fee support for IP management certification from the Korea Technology Finance CorporationProduction cost support and discounts for TV/radio commercials through the Korea Broadcast Advertising CorporationEmployee training platform support from SGI Seoul Guarantee Insurance for SMEsCertification Strategy
Before self-assessment, organize your existing IP portfolio — patents, trademarks, designsPrepare concrete examples of how you've actually used IP in business strategy, such as new product development or licensingDocument your IP filing, management, and utilization processes in advance for the on-site reviewContact KITIM
KITIM supports SMEs with IP management certification consulting, organizing IP portfolios, and identifying certification-linked support programs. Contact us through [KITIM Contact](/contact) if you're considering pursuing IP management certification.
