Lee International

Lee International Introduced Korean Patent Examination Practices for AI-Related Inventions and the DABUS Case

On July 16, 2025, Lee International IP & Law participated in a seminar hosted by CNH IP Office in Shanghai, China, where it delivered a presentation to IP managers from leading Chinese AI companies on Korean patent examination practices for AI-related inventions.

During the seminar, patent attorneys Young-Bo Shim and Yoon-Suk Shin, representing the Firm, conducted a lecture focusing on patent examination practices in Korea concerning AI-related inventions. In particular, they provided detailed explanations on patent eligibility, enablement requirements (drafting requirements for specifications), claim drafting requirements, as well as examination practices on novelty and inventive step. They also introduced actual examination standards and application examples by referencing cases included in the “Examination Guidelines for Artificial Intelligence Field” published by the Korean Intellectual Property Office.

Furthermore, they mentioned the DABUS patent prosecution case that the Firm is currently handling in South Korea, providing insights into domestic examination and litigation trends regarding the patentability of AI-generated inventions. Additionally, the two experts shared their analyses on the recent AI-related patent prosecution and examination trends in South Korea.

The seminar was conducted in a hybrid format (offline and online), attracting IP managers from numerous major AI companies in China. Participants showed strong interest, and an active exchange of information took place during the Q&A session following the presentation.

Lee International IP & Law plans to continue sharing its expertise in Korean AI-related intellectual property practices with professionals around the world, while providing ongoing support and collaboration to help global companies effectively secure their rights in South Korea.