Which is the competent authority for invention patent applications in Korea?

Submitted by 页之码 on

Korean Industrial Property Office

English: Korea Intellectual Property Office, abbreviation: KIPO

Website: Korean Intellectual Property Office (kipo.go.kr)

Korean Invention Patent Search: Integrated Search < SEARCH - KIPRIS Patent Information searching service

专利申请流程

KR South Korea

  • Which is the competent authority for utility model patent applications in Korea?

    Korean Industrial Property Office

    English: Korea Intellectual Property Office, abbreviation: KIPO

    Website: Korean Intellectual Property Office (kipo.go.kr)

    Korean Utility Model Patent Search: Integrated Search < SEARCH - KIPRIS Patent Information searching service

  • How long does it take to authorize an industrial design in Korea?

    • The average time for partial substantive examination design granted is 1-2 months.
    • The average time for substantive examination of design granted is 10-12 months.

  • How long is the protection period of industrial design in Korea?

    20 years

  • Is a Korean invention patent application eligible for DAS?

    no

  • Characteristics of Korean design patent application process

    KIPO adopts two examination systems, the Substantive Examination System (SES) and the Partial Substantive Examination System (NSES), for designs, and the applicant has no right to choose the examination route. The Partial Substantive Examination System (NSES) is for items that are popular, easy to imitate and have a short life cycle, such as food, clothing and men's clothing (category 2), travel goods (category 3), textiles, man-made and Natural panel materials (Class 5), packaging (Class 9), decorative articles (Class 11), stationery and office equipment, artists and teaching materials (Class 19). For some designs that have been substantiated, the applicant can obtain granted within 1-2 months from the date of submission of the application, and can enjoy new procedures such as combination design and post-granted opposition. The applicant can decide whether to disclose the design at the time of granted. After paying a certain confidentiality fee, the design can be requested not to be disclosed for 3 years. There are 32 levels in the Locarno classification system, but only 31 levels are used in Korea.

  • How long does it take for a utility model application to be granted in Korea?

    1-2 years

  • Can the priority right of a Korean invention patent application be restored?

    Restoration of priority will not be accepted.

  • What are the requirements for Korean invention patent application documents?

    Filing Language: Korean

    via Paris Convention via Nationalization of PCT

    Necessary documents:

    1. Abstract
    2. Abstract Drawing
    3. Claim
    4. Specification
    5. Drawing

    Necessary documents:

    1. Abstract
    2. Abstract Drawing
    3. Claim
    4. Specification
    5. Drawing

    Attachments (if any)

    1. Sequence Listing (PDF format and TXT format)
    2. Microorganism preservation certificate and its Korean translation
    3. Microorganism survival certificate and its Korean translation
    4. Power of Attorney
    5. Priority certification document and its Korean translation
    6. Declaration of Ownership/Certification of Employment/Assignment of priority
    7. Assignment for Patent Right Transfer
    8. Notification issued by CNIPA notify the applicant the application has passed through the security review

    Attachments (if any)

    1. WIPO Publication
    2. ISR/IPRP
    3. Entering the Korean national phase 19/28/34/41 amended
    4. Sequence Listing (PDF format and TXT format)
    5. Microorganism preservation certificate and its Korean translation
    6. Microorganism survival certificate and its Korean translation
    7. Power of Attorney
    8. Declaration of Ownership/Certification of Employment/Assignment of priority
    9. Assignment for Patent Right Transfer

  • What are the requirements for Korean utility model application documents?

    Filing Language: Korean

    via Paris Convention via Nationalization of PCT

    Necessary documents:

    1. Abstract
    2. Abstract Drawing
    3. Claim
    4. Specification
    5. Drawing

    Necessary documents:

    1. Abstract
    2. Abstract Drawing
    3. Claim
    4. Specification
    5. Drawing

    Attachments (if any)

    1. Power of Attorney
    2. Scanned Copy of Certified Priority Document / DAS
    3. Declaration of Ownership/Certification of Employment/Assignment of priority
    4. Assignment for Patent Right Transfer
    5. Notification issued by CNIPA notify the applicant the application has passed through the security review

    Attachments (if any)

    1. WIPO Publication
    2. ISR/IPRP
    3. Entering the Korean national phase 19/28/34/41 amended
    4. Power of Attorney
    5. Declaration of Ownership/Certification of Employment/Assignment of priority
    6. Assignment for Patent Right Transfer

  • Novelty Grace Period for Korean Invention Patent Application

    If the following situations occur 12 months before the patent application/priority date by the inventor, applicant or assignee:

    • By correspondence, or publicly at national or international exhibitions

    • Disclosure due to malicious disclosure by a third party

      The novelty grace period can be enjoyed, and the applicant needs to submit corresponding evidence support when submitting the application.