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| A representative figure from SFA's patent titled "Unmanned Store System" (KR2252628) (Source: KIPRIS) |
Knauf AG has successfully invalidated a South Korean patent held by SFA covering an unmanned store system, with the country’s patent tribunal finding the core claim invalid.
On Jan. 16, 2026, the Korean Intellectual Property Trial and Appeal Board held that claim 1 of SFA's patent titled "Unmanned Store System" (KR2252628) was invalid, granting an invalidation petition filed by Knauf AG in June 2025.
The challenged patent relates to technologies enabling the automated dispatch of ordered goods in unmanned retail environments. The invention describes various solutions designed to facilitate order processing and inventory management while allowing products to be received and released without human intervention.
SFA filed the patent application in December 2018 and requested examination on the same day. The patent was granted in May 2021.
SFA may appeal the tribunal's decision by filing a revocation action before the Patent Court of Korea.
By PatenTrip
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