Fees associated with filing trademark application in South Korea as well as other trademark fees are available in the fee calculator.
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Multiple class applications
Multiple class trademark applications are possible in South Korea.
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Filing requirements in South Korea:
The official language of a trademark application in Korea is Korean.
A trademark application in Korea must contain at least the following:
- representation of a trademark;
- applicant's details;
- designated goods and class(es) of a trademark.
A certified copy of the Priority Document alongside the Korean translation should be submitted within 3 months from filing the trademark application in the Republic of Korea. This term cannot be extended.
It is recommended to submit a scanned copy of the Power of Attorney simultaneously with filing the trademark application in the Republic of Korea. If not submitted upon filing, the KIPO will issue a notice to file and stipulate a time period in which to file the POA. Official legalisation is not required.
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Examination, publication and opposition of a trademark application in South Korea
The application will undergo both formal and substantive examinations, substantive examination includes a search for conflicting marks and distinctiveness examination.
After the examination, an application is published in the Official Gazette before opposition. For trademark applications filed in South Korea before July 22, 2025, the opposition period is two months from the publication date, while for applications filed on or after July 22, 2025, the opposition period is 30 days from the publication date.
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Grant, validity term and trademark renewal
Official fees for granting should be paid within 2 months from the date when Notice of Allowance was received. The term of a registered trademark in Korea is ten years from the date of registration, renewable an unlimited number of times every ten years. A renewal application should be filed within 1 year before the expiration date. This term may be extended by a 6 month grace period after the renewal due date.
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Duration of registration procedure
The processing time from first filing to registration is approximately 14-18 months in the case of a smooth registration procedure.
The validity of a registered trademark in Korea may be cancelled through a trial if it is shown that the trademark has not been used for 3 consecutive years before the filing date of the trial proceedings.
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Representation by a trademark attorney
For foreign applicants, it is necessary to perform trademark prosecution in Korea through a practising trademark attorney of Korea.
1. Online Search databases: Korean Trademarks, International Trademarks.
2. The time limit to file a response to the provisional refusal of an international registration in South Korea is 2 months from the date the Office issues the refusal. It is possible to request an extension of time by additional 2 months. The language of the response is Korean. It is necessary to appoint a local representative for filing of the response. There is no option to request a revision or file an appeal to the refusal.
Brief summary is based on the information provided by JEONG, KIM & LEE IP LAW FIRM on 26.02.2025
Please contact us if the above information is not in conformity with South Korean IP Laws.