Drone patent applications show sharp 161% increase year-over-year

Domestic companies are engaged in fierce competition to secure drone-related patents in order to capture the future drone market.

The Korean Intellectual Property Office (headed by Commissioner Choi Dong-gyu) announced that a total of 389 drone-related patents were filed in 2015, representing a sharp increase of 161% compared to the previous year. Drone patent filings have been rapidly increasing in recent years, from only around 30 applications per year before 2012, to 126 in 2013, 149 in 2014, and reaching 389 last year.

▲Drone-type rescue equipment deployment device: An unmanned aerial vehicle equipped with a rotating blade (4) and rotor (3) is fitted with rescue equipment (20) to efficiently rescue people in maritime distress.

This appears to be a result of increased research and development efforts and patent acquisition activities as drones have come to attention as a promising future business sector, with companies seeking to capture the related market.
Major applicants include research institutions such as the Korea Aerospace Research Institute and Agency for Defense Development, as well as numerous domestic small and medium-sized venture companies, which are leading the way in securing patent rights.

The specific technology fields of patent applications are also diverse. The field with the most patent filings is the "aircraft and operation technology" field, with examples including firefighting drones that can suppress fires while moving on the ground and flying as needed, and drones equipped with life-saving equipment deployment devices for use in maritime rescue operations, which received patent registrations last year.



▲Drone patent application status

Additionally, patent applications for takeoff and landing technology that enables drones to automatically take off, land, and charge are increasing. Patent examples of takeoff and landing technology include patented technology for mobile vehicles that allow multiple multicopters to automatically land and charge.

The government is actively pursuing drone commercialization this year, and as research and development and investment in drone-related projects expand between the government and private companies, it is expected that patent applications in the drone field will continue to increase.

Kim Il-gyu, head of the Next-generation Transport Examination Division at the Korean Intellectual Property Office, stated, "Drone technology will approach our daily lives much faster and more closely in the future," and added, "To capture a new market first, it is essential above all to establish a sophisticated patent strategy before technology development."