[THE INVESTOR] Small and medium-sized enterprises have lost all patent suits they have raised against large conglomerates so far this year, a lawmaker said on Aug. 16, suggesting their lack of legal experience and resources to protect intellectual properties.

Citing related data from the Korea Intellectual Property Office, Rep. Kim Jung-hoon of the ruling Saenuri Party said small and medium-sized enterprises have raised 14 patent suits against larger companies this year, but have not won a single case.

The win rate of smaller firms in patent disputes reached as high as 50.8 percent in 2014, but the rate plunged to 16.7 percent in 2015, and now to zero percent so far this year.

Kim noted the decline may be attributed to the companies’ limited resources, as well as their lack of access to legal consultations.

“The government needs to increase its budget for its existing support program as to increase the number of people supporting smaller firms and also improve the overall quality of the program,” the lawmaker said.

(theinvestor@heraldcorp.com)