Wigs are evolving from products used to conceal hair loss into fashion items for self-expression, and South Korea has emerged as the world’s second-most competitive country in wig-related patents.

According to the Ministry of Intellectual Property, an analysis released Aug. 17 of wig-related patents filed with the world’s five largest intellectual property offices between 2004 and 2023 showed South Korea tied for second in cumulative patent filings and ranked second in granted patents.

Japan ranked first with 1,374 filings, or 36 percent of the total. South Korea and the United States tied for second with 756 filings each, accounting for 20 percent.

Japan also led in granted patents with

637, or 36 percent, followed by South Korea with 523 (30 percent) and the US with 292 (17 percent).

Among the top individual applicants, South Korean wigmaker Hi-Mo ranked seventh globally with 35 filings. Japanese companies Kaneka, Aderans and Denka took the top three spots with 293, 284 and 164 filings, respectively.


don@heraldcorp.com