Korea’s business sector has faced a growing number of patent disputes with foreign enterprises as many local big players are increasing their shares in overseas markets.

According to the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the business sector saw the number of international patent lawsuits surge by 80.5 percent over the past two years. In particular, Korean firms are increasingly becoming the target of patent offensives from foreign technology powerhouses.

“A growing number of foreign firms have been keeping globally prominent local players in check amid heightened protectionism and grim economic conditions,” said Lee Won-hee, a researcher at Samsung Economic Research Institute.

“While (overseas firms) pushed for anti-dumping tariffs in the past, they are now beefing up patent attacks on IT companies.”

By Kim Yon-se (kys@heraldcorp.com)