Countries IP system

Korean patent and trademark system

Invention patent

  • Patent term: 20 years starting from filing date
  • Document required: Specification and drawings
  • Patent prosecution:
    1. Investigation examination procedure
    2. Patent publications will take place 18 months after the filing date (priority date)
    3. Formal examinations should take place within 3years from filling date (priority date)

Utility model patent

  • Patent term:
    10 years starting from filing date
  • Document required:
    Specification, drawings, and power of attorney
  • Patent prosecution:
    Investigation examination procedure

Design patent

  • Patent term:
    15 years starting from filing date
  • Document required:
    Specification, drawings, and power of attorney
  • Maintenance fee:
    First year payment will be on the filing date, from second year and after will be annual payment

Trademark

  • Trademark term:
    10 years from register date, renewal for every 10 years term
  • Trademark type:
    Trademarks and service marks
  • Document required:
    Words/logo, merchandise detail (no power of attorney required)
  • Usage term:
    Trademark has not been use for 3 consecutive years will be revoke.
  • Renewal term:
    Renewal 6 month before expires date.