Discover the risks and dangers of failing to register a trademark to understand the value and importance of trademark registration for your brand.
The Risks of Not Registering a Trademark
South Korea Trademark Registration
Protect Your Brand in South Korea Through a Simple Process Backed by Certified Local Attorneys
Simple steps to register your trademark
STEP 1
Comprehensive Trademark Study
Before filing your trademark in South Korea, you must evaluate any issues that may arise during the registration process. Our Comprehensive Trademark Study not only lists similar trademarks (graphic and phonetic) that may conflict with yours but also provides you with an Attorney's opinion on the trademark registration possibilities and the class(es) that your goods/services belong to.
- Graphic and phonetic similarity trademark search report
- Trademark attorney's analysis and advice
- Trademark class recommendation
STEP 2
Trademark Application Filing
Specialized attorneys will file your trademark application in South Korea and carry out all the necessary formalities to bring your application for approval and registration. As soon as your trademark is filed, we will send you a filing report that will include the application number and application date. Also, we will send you a scanned copy of the filed application.
- Process Handled by Experienced Trademark Attorneys
- Filing the Report & a Scanned Copy of the application
- Tracking the Registration Process Online
STEP 3
Trademark Registration Certificate
Once your trademark application is approved, our attorneys complete all the formalities necessary to obtain the registration certificate in South Korea. After the certificate is issued, it is forwarded to your address along with a registration report specifying the registration number, registration date, and any special consideration that should be taken into account in South Korea.
- Process Handled by Experienced Trademark Attorneys
- Delivery of Registration Certificate & Report
- Monitoring & Notification of Important Dates
Additional Services in South Korea
Discover how our services help protect and strengthen your brand in South Korea.
Trademark Search
Check if your trademark is available for registration with our easy-to-use search tool.
Search TrademarkTrademark Renewal
Renew your trademark to maintain uninterrupted protection for your brand.
Renew TrademarkDomain Registration
Safeguard your local domain with ease through our trusted partner, Register.Domains.
Search .KR DomainsFrom our Blog
National vs. International Trademark Registration
Discover how national and international trademark registration compare, the pros and cons of each, and which is right for you.
Commonly Asked Questions About Trademark Registration
Learn answers to some of the most commonly asked questions on trademark registrations to improve your trademark knowledge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I register my trademark in the local language characters?
Yes, to ensure wider and stronger protection in South Korea, it's advisable to register your trademark in local characters.
If you only register your trademark in its original form (Latin characters), it might not fully protect its equivalent in the local language. This could allow others to use or register the same or a similar trademark in local characters.
Besides the legal advantages, registering and using your trademark in local characters can also offer commercial benefits. People in South Korea will more easily recognize and pronounce your brand if it's in a familiar script.
By registering your trademark in both its original form and local transliteration/translation, you gain better protection against potential infringements.
Do I need to sign a Power of Attorney for a trademark application?
Yes, you need a power of attorney to finish the trademark application process.
Can you claim priority for a trademark application in South Korea?
Yes, you can claim priority in South Korea. The original filing date from your home country can be used as the filing date in South Korea if:
- Your home country is a member of the Paris Convention
- The original filing date is within 6 months before the filing date in South Korea
- The international registration can be established in South Korea
What actions are necessary to fulfill the usage requirement for a trademark?
To meet the requirement, the trademark must be used commercially within 3 years of its registration date or within 3 years before a cancellation petition is filed. The use must take place in this jurisdiction.
What is the duration of the opposition period?
The opposition period begins on the date the application is published and lasts for two months from that date.
Who is eligible to challenge my trademark registration?
Any person or entity has the right to challenge a trademark registration.
How long is a trademark valid once it has been registered?
In South Korea, a registered trademark remains valid for 10 years starting from the registration date.
What are the steps involved in the trademark application process in South Korea after filing?
After filing a trademark application in South Korea, the process involves the following steps:
- Formalities
- Classifications
- Clarity
- Descriptiveness
- Distinctiveness
- Deceptiveness
- Conflicts with existing trademarks
- Trademark
- Applicant's name and address
- Applicant's state/country of incorporation
- Applicant's citizenship
- Goods/services covered
- Application date and number
- Priority claim details
- Trademark representation
Do I need to use my trademark before applying for registration?
You don't need to use the trademark or plan to use it before you apply for registration.
Can a registration be revoked?
Yes, you can cancel a registration for the following reasons:
- Ownership rights
- Marks that are descriptive, not unique, misleading, offensive, deceptive, functional, or generic
- Conflicts with a well-known trade name
- Conflicts with a well-known personal name
- Use of a geographical indication
- Conflicts with moral standards or public order
What rights do owners gain by registering a trademark?
Yes. Owners of a registered trademark in this area have these rights:
- Exclusive right to use the trademark
- Right to oppose later applications that conflict with their trademark
- Right to request the cancellation of a later conflicting trademark registration
- Right to sue third parties for using a confusingly similar trademark
- Right to authorize and license others to use the trademark
- Right to request the seizure of counterfeit goods with the trademark
- Right to receive compensation from those who infringe on the trademark
- Right to sue third parties for using a transliterated version of the trademark
- Right to oppose applications using a transliterated version of the trademark
What is the typical duration for trademark registration approval?
The typical time it takes to get a trademark registered is about 16 months, as long as there are no objections or challenges.
If I register my trademark in South Korea, will it be protected in other countries?
No, registering your trademark in South Korea only provides protection within South Korea.
Does registering a trademark in South Korea provide me with any legal rights?
To obtain rights, trademark owners need to register their trademarks.
Still have questions?