omatically; and the TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) that detects air pressure and temperature of the tire.

The minimizing technologies include roof and curtain airbags that operate from the top and side of the passenger seating.

According to the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO, Commissioner: Sang-Woo Jun), the number of patent applications related to these technologies was 723 from 2000 to 2006. As the overall number is steadily increasing each year (See Attachment 1), the number related to TPMS technology and roof/curtain airbag technology are showing an even growth rate, each reaching 60 applications in 2006 (See Attachment 2). The ratio of applications filed by Koreans is also increasing from 72% in 2002 to 85% in 2004 and to 86% in 2006 (See Attachment 3).

The increase is achieved by the growth of market share of multipurpose cars, and also by the government act that has included rollover safety as part of the car safety test since 2005. To respond to the requirement for car safety, related companies have made more investments in R&D.

The importance of technologies related to rollover accidents is being emphasized. As the technologies are included in the futuristic automobile industry, one of the next-generation’s growth power promoted by the government, patents related to automobile safety technologies will be continuously filed.

※ Futuristic automobile: Next-generation automobile that can effectively resolve the problems of the current automobile industry, such as environment, energy and safety problems. Some examples of the futuristic automobile are hybrid cars, fuel-cell cars and intelligent cars.