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| (Source: SK Microworks Solutions) |
SK Microworks Solutions' patent for an "Anti-Static Silicone Release Film with Excellent Release Characteristics" (KR2407857) has been officially canceled.
The patent, initially registered in June 2022, covered technology related to anti-static silicone release films, particularly used for protecting optical adhesive products or maintaining adhesive quality in the display industry.
The patent's cancellation followed a challenge filed with the Intellectual Property Trial and Appeal Board (IPTAB) in December 2022, shortly after its registration. The request sought to cancel claims 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 of the patent. In February 2024, IPTAB ruled in favor of the challenge, leading to the patent’s cancellation, which was finalized in April 2024.
IPTAB has invalidated key claims of the patent, citing obviousness based on five prior art references. The disputed patent's key claims—1, 2, 6-14—were ruled obvious due to similarities with prior inventions from prominent companies including Toyobo, Mitsubishi, and KCC.
Specifically, claims 1, 2, 10, 11, and 13 were deemed invalid due to a lack of inventiveness over prior art from Toray Advanced Materials and KCC Silicon. Claims 6 through 8 were similarly found to overlap with technology from Toray, Toyobo, and KCC, while claims 9 and 12 were invalidated in view of disclosures from Toray, KCC, Toyobo, and Mitsubishi Plastics. Lastly, claim 14 was rejected for obviousness based on prior art from Toray, KCC, and Yulchon Chemical.
The prior art references, dating as far back as 2000, include KCC Silicon’s "Solvent-Type Silicone Release Coating Composition for Ultralight Release Film" (KR10-2017-0067067), Toyobo’s "Releasable Polyester Film and Separator" (JP2001-341263), and Mitsubishi Plastics' "Laminate Polyester Film" (JP2015-120353). The IPTAB determined that a person skilled in the art could easily derive SK Microworks Solutions' patent claims from these existing technologies, rendering them unpatentable.
SK Microworks Solutions' patent was originally granted in 2022, but faced a cancellation request filed later that year. The board’s ruling, finalized in early 2024, highlighted the clear overlap between the claimed invention and these prior art references, invalidating the patent for lack of inventive step.
At the time of the patent's registration, the prior art cited by the examiner included Toyobo's "Releasable Polyester Film, Separator, and Adhesive Sheet Using Them" (JP2001341263) and Toray Advanced Materials' "Anti-Static Silicone Release Film" (KR102166082).
The patented technology involved a release film with a structure where one side featured a silicone-based release layer, and the opposite side had an anti-static layer containing inert particles and conductive polymers. This design allowed the film to maintain both low release force and anti-static properties, enhancing the protection of adhesive surfaces. Additionally, it offered anti-blocking characteristics, preventing adhesion or sticking between films when rolled or stacked. The anti-static properties minimized electrostatic discharge during film removal, preserving the quality of adhesive surfaces.
The patent had potential applications across several industries, including displays, packaging, semiconductors, and electronics. In the display sector, the release film could be used to protect adhesive films during manufacturing, particularly in the production of large OLED and touch screen panels (TSP).
As display sizes increase, and demand for faster peeling speeds rises, the film's low release force and fast peeling speed are essential for efficient manufacturing. Fast peeling speed refers to the ability of the film to be quickly and easily removed from the adhesive surface without leaving residue or damaging the product, which is crucial in assembly processes.
In the packaging industry, the technology could be utilized for high-end packaging or electronics packaging, especially where electrostatic discharge protection is critical. For semiconductors and electronic devices, the film's anti-static properties make it suitable for use as a protective layer during component production and transport.
The canceled patent's release film technology was particularly well-suited for protecting adhesive surfaces in industries where fast, clean removal and electrostatic protection are critical to maintaining product quality, especially in the growing display and electronics sectors.
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| (Source: KIPRIS) |
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