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

  • How long is the protection period for utility model applications in Korea?

    10 years

  • 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.

  • 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

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

    1-2 years

  • How long is the protection period of Korean invention patent application

    20 years, and the protection can be extended to 25 years for pesticides or medicines.

  • Is Korean Utility Model Application Type Convertible?

    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.

  • How long does it take for a Korean invention patent application to be granted?

    2-3 years

  • Is Korean Invention Patent Application Type Convertible?

    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.

  • 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

  • Is it possible to apply for a combined appearance for a Korean industrial design application?

    For the design of partial substantive examination, multiple designs can be included in one design application, but the designs must belong to the same class in the international design classification.