South Korea Trademark Registration
Korea is examined by KIPO on a first-to-file basis and typically registers in 12-14 months, with a ten-year term. KIPO has tightened scrutiny of filings without genuine intent to use, and specifications written against the Korean classification practice get through with fewer rounds.
First to file makes speed part of the strategy
Korea largely decides by who filed first, so searching quickly and filing quickly matter as much as drafting. Refusals usually rest on confusion or distinctiveness. Vague upper-level goods terms invite requirements to narrow.
Foreign applicants must appoint a Korean agent. Office actions carry a 30-day response window, extendable on request; missing it abandons the application.
Route comparison
Neither route is easier to register; they differ in management and timing.
| Route | Coverage | Typical timeline | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|
| National filing at KIPO | Korea only | 12-14 months | Specification aligned to Korean classification |
| Madrid designation of Korea | As designated | 12-18 months | Dependent on the China basic mark for five years |
Official fees follow the current schedule of the KIPO; our service fee is quoted by class and case complexity.
Intent to use and maintenance
Korea has become stricter on filings with no real plan to use the mark, so be ready to describe the goods you intend to sell. Three consecutive years of non-use in Korea exposes a registration to cancellation, which makes local sales, customs or advertising records worth keeping from the start.
The term is ten years, renewable in the year before expiry with a six-month grace period. Non-conventional marks such as colour and three-dimensional signs are accepted but carry a heavier distinctiveness burden.
- File the Hangul rendering alongside the Latin or Chinese form.
- Describe goods concretely rather than by whole classes.
- Keep Korean use evidence for cancellation defence and opposition reply.
Timeline and where it slips
Duration is mostly examination time; the part you control is the first response and the completeness of the specification.
Where a similar earlier mark exists, decide early whether to argue, seek consent or narrow, because each round costs months.
| Stage | Typical duration | Who acts | Where it slips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Search | 3-5 working days | We run the search | Phonetic equivalents not checked |
| Filing and receipt | 3-5 working days | KIPO and Korean agent | Missing applicant documents |
| Substantive examination | About 5-9 months | KIPO | Weak statement of intended use |
| Office action reply | About 1-2 months | Agent drafts | 30-day window not extended |
| Publication and registration | About 2-3 months | KIPO | Opposition window unmonitored |
How we work
KIPO register plus marketplace brands
Item by item against Korean practice
Submitted once documents are confirmed
Arguments or amendments within the window
Monitor and respond to opposition
Evidence on file, renew before expiry
What you need to prepare
- Applicant identity documents
- Reproduction of the mark and its Korean reading
- Goods and services per Korean classification
- Statement of intended use
- Local agent arrangements (we coordinate)
Frequently asked questions
How long does a Korean registration take?
Typically 12-14 months where nothing is raised, covering formalities, examination and publication. An office action or opposition extends it.
Do I need a Korean entity?
No, but a foreign applicant must appoint a Korean representative for procedural steps.
Can the mark be cancelled for non-use?
Yes. Three consecutive years of genuine non-use in Korea exposes it to cancellation, so keep local sales, customs or advertising evidence.
Should the Korean name be registered separately?
Usually yes. If only the Latin or Chinese form is protected, someone can file the phonetic Hangul equivalent and create real friction for listings and enrolment.
Want an assessment first?
Tell us the product and target marketplaces and we will give you a registrability opinion, a realistic timeline and a cost breakdown. Files can be submitted within 48 hours of confirmation.
