Forum at Sejong Technopark to discuss IP support tailored to city's industrial profile; more than 50 small businesses to take part
A forum is set to open to explore ways to advance regional future industries through intellectual property.
The Korea Intellectual Property Office will hold a roundtable Friday at Sejong Technopark in Jochiwon-eup, Sejong, to discuss IP support tailored to the city's industrial profile and public-private cooperation strategies with local small and medium-sized enterprises and small business owners.
The event will bring together about 60 participants, including Korea Intellectual Property Office Commissioner Kim Yong-seon, National Assembly lawmaker Kim Jong-min (Sejong Gap), Sejong Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman Kim Jin-dong, Sejong Special Autonomous City officials, and representatives from the Korea Invention Promotion Association and local small and medium-sized enterprises.
Sejong is expanding beyond its role as an administrative hub, nurturing future industries including semiconductors, materials and components, biotech, AI and robotics, digital content, and knowledge services, while building an advanced industrial base through the development of a smart national industrial complex. As the city's designation as a smart city national pilot zone draws a growing influx of startups, the need for IP support suited to Sejong's industrial profile is becoming more pressing.
At the roundtable, the IP office, Sejong city government, Sejong Technopark, the Sejong Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the regional IP center will discuss how to coordinate their roles to build a public-private cooperation framework — spanning the identification of promising companies, IP support, and follow-on growth assistance. They will also discuss ways to protect Sejong's distinctive local assets, such as hangul, regional culture and traditional markets, through IP mechanisms and connect them to brand development, commercialization and entrepreneurship.
Participating companies are also expected to raise a range of proposals, including expansion of IP support in the Sejong region, easing the burden of corporate co-payment requirements for support programs, IP support that reflects Sejong's industrial characteristics, activation of inter-company IP management networks, development of shared brands for traditional markets and neighborhood commercial districts, and expanded IP support for early-stage startups.
As part of its proactive administration initiative, the IP office plans to incorporate the feedback gathered Friday into future regional IP support policies and program operations, and to strengthen cooperation with Sejong city and related local institutions.
"Sejong is home to companies growing toward global markets on the strength of core technologies, as well as a diverse range of tech firms taking on new frontiers," Commissioner Kim said. "We will use intellectual property to reinforce the strengths of Sejong's industries and companies, and work together with the region to build an IP growth model suited to Sejong."
kwonhl@heraldcorp.com
