KRfiling code

South Korea

KIPO · Korean Intellectual Property Office

Fast examination and an active opposition culture. Foreign brands that trend on Korean social media often get filed by a third party before they enter the market.

Trademarks
System
First to file
Madrid Protocol
Member
To registration
~8–14 months
Term
10 years, renewable
Patents & designs
PCT
Member
Utility model
Utility model
Hague (designs)
Member
Design term
20 years from filing

Korea examines quickly and expects precise claims. Design filings can be deferred or filed without examination for short-lifecycle products such as fashion and consumer electronics.

What to watch in South Korea

Four things that decide whether the filing holds

  • Opposition comes before registration

    Marks are published and can be opposed in a short window before they register. Watching the register is how you catch a lookalike while it is still cheap to stop.

  • Hangul versions get filed by others

    Register the Hangul rendering of your brand together with the Latin mark, for the same reason you would in China or Japan.

  • Examination is strict on distinctiveness

    Descriptive and laudatory elements are routinely refused. The distinctive part of the mark has to carry it.

  • Non-use is a real exposure

    Registrations can be cancelled for non-use. Keep local sales evidence from launch.

Also on the desk