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Operating hours on weekdays are from 9 am to 6 pm, and we are closed on public holidays.
Visit Time
Visit reservations should be made one day in advance for weekday visits between 10 am and 8 pm.
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Contact Us Online with a Question
Thank you for your inquiry, which we greatly appreciate. As a patent attorney, we are bound by confidentiality obligations under the Patent Attorney Act, so you can rest assured that all matters will be handled with strict confidentiality. We take your concerns seriously and will respond to your inquiry promptly and professionally.
Offline Inquiries
Have you already scheduled a meeting with your patent attorney? If so, we recommend making some preparations beforehand. The more information you have, the more seamlessly you can request what you need. You don’t need to know everything, but having a certain amount of knowledge will help you make better use of your attorney’s expertise.
1. Completion of Invention (required)
The essence of the invention lies in the fact that the inventor has a better understanding of it than anyone else. While patent attorneys may be an expert in a particular field, they are generally knowledgeable about a broad range of technologies, making it challenging for them to comprehend a specific invention as well as the inventor. A patent attorney’s role is to represent the application of intellectual property, such as a patent, rather than providing the invention itself. Therefore, it’s essential to be prepared to explain your ideas in detail and how you plan to implement them.
2. Basic Prior Art Research (optional)
While a patent attorney can conduct a thorough prior art search, it’s also advisable for you to do your own research. You can use resources like Google’s patent search, the Korea Patent Information Service website (KIPRIS), and other search engines to check if your idea is new. It’s important to note that patents are not the only prior art, so it’s recommended to search for similar products, services, and other relevant information using various sources.
3. Providing Information on Invention Materials (required)
Some patent attorneys may not bring anything when meeting with inventors because they feel it may be bothersome. However, this can put the patent attorney in an awkward position. While the attorney may be an expert in a particular field, the inventor knows more about the invention than anyone else.
Without documentation of the inventor’s thoughts, the patent attorney may not fully understand the invention’s intent and identity unless they have the ability to read minds. Therefore, it is advisable to present brief documentation of the background of the invention, the problems the invention is meant to solve, and how the invention solves those problems.
As a patent attorney is obligated to maintain confidentiality under the Patent Attorney Act, you can share all unprocessed internal information with confidence. The more diligent you are in preparing your documentation, the more likely you are to receive a better patent.
4. Review of Various Embodiments (optional)
When you first come up with an idea, it’s often envisioned as a single embodiment. However, potential infringers of your patents may attempt to work around the scope of your rights by creating alternative embodiments that are similar to those described in the patent document but fall outside the scope of your protection.
To prevent this from happening, it’s important to consider as many alternative embodiments as possible when discussing your invention with your patent attorney. By identifying these alternatives, you can help ensure that your patents are comprehensive and effective.
Notes
Confidentiality before filing a patent application – Disclosing your invention in a publication or showcasing it in a fair before filing a patent application may prevent you from obtaining a patent. While this is not always the case, it is recommended to consult with your patent attorney before disclosing any information about your invention.
Ensure that the person you are meeting with is a licensed patent attorney – If you’re not booked in advance, it may be difficult to see a patent attorney suddenly. However, if the patent attorney does not show up to the end of the charge, let’s not make an excuse to be busy, or whether it is a patent office or not. When you meet with a patent attorney, it is advisable to visit the patent office in person.