Explanation of Korea Design Authorization and Annual Fee

Submitted by 页之码 on
  • Grant fee: The applicant should pay the annual fee for the first to third year within 3 months after receiving the notification of granted decision
  • Annuity: Begin to pay year by year from the 4th year, overdue payment can be made within the 6-month grace period after the due date, but a penalty shall be paid, and the amount of the penalty shall not exceed twice the granted fee.

专利申请流程

  • A 12-month novelty grace period is available if the design is disclosed by the applicant or the applicant's agent.

  • 1-2 years

    • via Paris Convention : 12 months from earliest priority date.
    • via Nationalization of PCT : 31 months from earliest priority date.
  • 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
  • no

  • 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.

  • 10 years

  • yes. The type of patent can be changed from invention to utility model within 30 days of receiving the grant/rejection decision, and the corresponding fee should be paid.

    • Grant fee: The applicant should pay the annual fee for the first to third year within 3 months after receiving the notification of granted decision
    • Annuity: Begin to pay year by year from the 4th year, overdue payment can be made within the 6-month grace period after the due date, but a penalty shall be paid, and the amount of the penalty shall not exceed twice the granted fee.
  • yes. It is possible to change the patent type from utility model to invention within 30 days of receiving the grant/rejection decision, and pay the corresponding fee.