In the field of micro LEDs, which is spotlighted as the next generation of displays, Korea is reported to lead in the technological development by recording first place worldwide in patent registrations as the technology can be used in various fields such as large-scale TVs and smart devices.

Based on a result published by KIPO analyzing patents registered worldwide in patent offices of major countries (IP5: Korea, US, China, EP, and Japan), the registered number of micro LED technology in recent 10 years (from 2013 to 2022) has increased nearly two folds from 540 cases in 2013 to 1,045 cases in 2022, recording a 7.6% annual average increase rate.

Upon a review of the registrants per country, Korea recorded first place with the largest percentage of 23.2% (1,567 cases), followed by Japan which recorded second place with 20.1% (1,360 cases), China which recorded third place with 18.0% (1,217 cases), the U.S. which recorded fourth place with 16.0% (1,080 cases), and the EP which recorded fifth place with 11.0% (750 cases).

 

Leading registrants include LG Innotek in first place with 6.0% (404 cases), followed by Samsung Electronics in second place with 5.7% (384 cases), Semiconductor Energy Laboratory (SEL) of Japan in third place with 4.7% (315 cases), Samsung Display in fourth place with 3.6% (240 cases), and Jingdongfang (BOE) of China in fifth place with 3.3% (223 cases). 

Korean corporations showed that they are leading the micro LED technology worldwide with four corporations ranking within the top 10 with LG Innotek in first place, Samsung Electronics in second place, Samsung display in fourth place, and LG display in ninth place (5.8%, 133 cases). 

 

The annual average increase rate for the same period shows China in first place (37.5%), followed by the EP in second place (10.0%), Taiwan in third place (9.9%), Korean in fourth place (4.4%), and the US in fifth place (4.1%). Technological competition between Korea who had the upper hand until know and China who is actively carrying out research and development for micro LED technology recently is expected to become more intense by another level.

Chi-bok IN, Manager in the Semiconductor Examination Bureau of KIPO stated that “Micro LEDs have a superior advantage in thickness, brightness, power consumption, color realization, and the like, and the application field is expected to expand to small-scale wearable devices which can be used in smart watches, augmented realities or virtual realities, in addition to large-scale TVs, and the growth rate is expected to grow.”

IN went on further to state that “in order for our corporations to secure its worldwide leadership in even the micro LED technology following OLED technology, there is a need to continue research and development on manufacturing technology of micro LED chips and micro LED transference process technology, and KIPO will continue to provide patent information associated with high-quality examinations to assist with the above.”