Abstract
The purpose of this study is to set a direction for the development of men's underwear after analyzing current applications for patent regarding men's special-purpose underwear. In terms of a research method, the disclosed patents and utility models were investigated using the patent information database provided by Korea Institute of Patent Information (KIPRIS, http://www.kipris.or.kr). For this, the patents applied from 1990 to October 2015 were targeted. The keywords used for patent search were 'men's underwear' and 'men's special-purpose underwear.' When searched by the keywords above, a total of 1,089 cases were found. Except for expired or cancelled ones, 243 cases were investigated. Then, annual application trends, current registrations on literature records, classification of utility model right holders and contents by topic were analyzed. In terms of data analysis, frequency analysis, crosstabulation analysis and multiple response analysis were conducted, using SPSS 18.0. The results found the followings: In terms of annual application trends, the number of applications for patent started to gradually increase since 2007. Since 2011, it has rapidly increased. In terms of the number of patent registrations, literature registration was far higher than utility model registration. In terms of application rights, 'individually registered (58.8%)' was higher than 'registered by the organization (41.2%).' Among 243 cases, 'underwear (58%)' was the highest, followed by 'men's underwear-related items (29.2%)' and 'thermals (8.2%).' According to analysis on the details of the patent applied for men's underwear, 'penis-scrotum separation' was most focused, followed by 'disposable product' 'airy features,' 'scrotum protection' and 'structure of underwear.'