Naver is a leading South Korean internet portal and global tech company, providing a wide range of digital services. It drives innovation across multiple fields, including search engines, artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, e-commerce, and fintech, playing a key role in the digital economy. By analyzing Naver’s patent filings, we can gain insight into how the company is leading technological innovation. The patent data was collected using the search keywords NAP:(TL100169) OR AP:(NAVER NHN) via the Keywert tool, excluding filings in China (CN). After removing duplicates, the following data was finalized:
Total patents: 7,275
Korea (KR): 4,293 filings
Japan (JP): 1,255 filings
United States (US): 1,106 filings
Europe (EPO): 81 filings
World Intellectual Property Organization (WO): 540 filings
This data outlines Naver’s global patent filing trends.
1. Naver’s Annual Patent Filing Trends
From 2000 to 2003, Naver experienced a rapid acceleration in technological innovation, reflected in a sharp rise in patent filings. Particularly in Korea, the number of filings surged from just 3 in 2000 to 85 in 2003. This growth mirrors Naver’s platform expansion during the early 2000s and the broader development of the IT industry, coinciding with the rise of Internet of Things (IoT) technology.
2. Naver’s Patent Filings by Technology Area (Top 10)
Naver’s patents are spread across various technology areas, primarily focusing on critical aspects of the digital economy such as big data, financial automation, e-commerce, and logistics management. Below is a breakdown of Naver’s major patent filings by technology type:
Data File Management Systems (G06F-017/30) - 778 filings This technology involves managing large-scale data, including storage, search, modification, and deletion. As cloud-based services and big data analytics have become essential for business operations, the importance of data file management systems has grown. Naver has significantly increased its patent filings in this area to enhance its data management capabilities.
Financial Administrative Processing Methods (G06Q-030/02) - 430 filings Financial automation technologies digitize administrative processes in industries like banking, insurance, and securities. These technologies are closely tied to digital transformation and the rise of fintech. Naver’s entry into the financial technology space has led to a significant increase in patents related to financial processing.
E-commerce Processing Technology (G06Q-030/00) - 406 filings E-commerce technology processes commercial activities such as payments and order management on online shopping platforms. With the rise of consumer online activity, Naver’s shopping platforms have driven consistent patent filings aimed at securing competitive systems.
Logistics and Inventory Management Processing Methods (G06Q-050/10) - 353 filings The growing complexity of global supply chains and the rise of e-commerce have made logistics and inventory management crucial. Naver has focused on maximizing the efficiency of logistics management through its platform, resulting in an increase in related patent filings. This area remains critical for cost reduction and operational optimization.
Information Search Systems (G06F-017/00) - 212 filings One of Naver’s core technologies, information search systems allow users to rapidly search through vast amounts of data on the internet. As data continues to grow exponentially, the importance of search engines in providing relevant information to users has increased. Naver has consistently filed patents to enhance its search technology, particularly integrating AI into these systems.
3. Naver’s Patent Filing Trends Over the Last Three Years (Top 5)
The recent patent filing trends reflect Naver’s strategic focus over the past three years. The company has shown notable filings in logistics management, robotics control, marketing and advertising, financial administrative processing, and AI algorithms.
Logistics and Inventory Management Processing Methods (G06Q-050/10) - 37 filings After the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of logistics efficiency grew significantly. Naver has concentrated on automating logistics systems, filing patents aimed at digitizing and optimizing logistics and inventory management processes.
Robotic Control Systems (B25J-009/16) - 32 filings Robotics technology is increasingly being adopted in manufacturing, logistics, and service sectors. Naver’s patent filings in robotic control technologies reflect its alignment with this trend. Robotics is expected to play a critical role in Naver’s strategy to automate logistics and services.
Marketing and Advertising Processing Methods (G06Q-030/06) - 20 filings Leveraging big data and AI, personalized advertising and marketing technologies are essential for Naver’s competitiveness in the digital advertising market. These technologies help accurately identify consumer needs and deliver targeted ads.
Financial Administrative Processing Methods (G06Q-030/02) - 17 filings Naver has been accelerating its digital transformation in the financial sector, continuing to file patents for automating financial administrative processing. These technologies strengthen Naver’s position in the fintech sector.
AI Algorithms (G06N-003/08) - 17 filings AI plays a central role in Naver’s technological innovations, with applications spanning various industries. AI algorithms utilizing machine learning and deep learning enhance Naver’s services across search, advertising, and financial services.
Conclusion
Naver’s patent filings reveal its focus on developing innovative technologies across a broad range of key areas in the digital economy, including data management, financial technology, e-commerce, logistics, and AI. Over the past three years, Naver has particularly concentrated on logistics, robotics, marketing, financial technology, and AI as part of its efforts to drive digital transformation and strengthen its global competitiveness. As Naver continues to develop these technologies, it is poised to maintain a leadership role in the digital economy.
