Intellectual Property Fierce Competition to Obtain Original Patent for Wearable Computer A wearable computer is a computer that is subsumed into the personal space of the user, controlled by the user, and is always on and always accessible. Most notably, it is a device that is always with the user, and into which the user can always enter commands. The user can also execute a set of such entered commands while walking around or doing other activities. The wearable computer is different from other wearable devices such as wristwatches, regular eyeglasses, and wearable radios. Unlike these other wearable devices that are not programmable or reconfigurable, the wearable computer is as reconfigurable as the familiar desktop or mainframe computer. According to the Korea Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) report on the patent application trend for wearable computers for the last 10 years, the total number of patent applications stands at 186 cases. Among the total patent applications, 32 cases have been made during the six years before 1999, accounting for 17%. The remaining 154 cases have been made since 2000, thus accounting for 83%. Notably the patent applications on wearable computers have rapidly increased from the year 2000. These patent applications can be grouped by technology as follows: local area network (LAN) or near field communication (NFC) accounts for 40% or 73 cases, miniature platform accounts for 19.3% or 36 cases, wearable platforms 19.0% or 35 cases, Wearable Body Area Networks (WBAN) 9.1% or 17 cases, and personal mobile gateways 8.1% or 15 cases. Major patent applicants in the overseas countries are Phillips, Xybernaut, and IBM. But in Korea, the active applicants include ETRI and KIST. Patent applications of domestic private companies still remains inactive. The Korean government has selected the next generation PC field as an IT growth engine and plans to support this field. The wearable computer is an important part of the next generation PC field.