Trademarks in South Korea are governed by the Korean Trademark Act and administered by the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO). South Korea is a member of the Paris Convention, the Madrid Protocol, and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Trademark applications are substantively examined for absolute and relative grounds and published for opposition.
Exclusive Rights: Grants you exclusive legal ownership and control over your trademark for the registered goods/services throughout South Korea.
Legal Enforcement: Enables you to take action against infringement, counterfeiting, and unauthorized use through KIPO and South Korean courts.
Nationwide Protection: Secures trademark protection across the entire country, regardless of where the business operates.
Market Positioning: Strengthens brand identity, builds consumer trust, and enhances competitive advantage in South Korea’s highly developed market.
Here is the step-by-step process followed for trademark registration in South Korea.
The trademark application is filed with KIPO (usually online). Once filed, KIPO issues an official application number.
KIPO conducts formal and substantive examination of the application, including distinctiveness, descriptiveness, and conflicts with earlier marks. Applicants must respond to office actions within the prescribed deadline.
If the examination is passed, the trademark is published in KIPO’s Official Gazette.
After publication, third parties have 2 months from the publication date to file an opposition against the mark
If no opposition is filed (or if any oppositions are resolved in favour of the applicant), the trademark is registered and the Registration Certificate is issued.
A registered trademark in South Korea is valid for 10 years from the registration date. Trademarks can be renewed indefinitely for successive 10-year terms by payment of renewal fees to KIPO.
In-depth legal search for potential conflicts in South Korea.
Complete filing and application management for South Korean trademarks.
Hassle-free renewals to maintain your South Korea trademark protection.
Continuous monitoring of South Korean trademarks to identify potential conflicts.
Efficient handling of trademark ownership transfers in South Korea.
Expert guidance to license or expand your South Korean brand.
Fees are indicative and subject to change. Contact us for the latest details.
**Last updated on: September 5, 2026
Approx. 9-14 months from filing to registration, largely due to the detailed examination period.
A registered trademark in South Korea is valid for 10 years from the registration date. Trademarks can be renewed indefinitely for successive 10-year terms by payment of renewal fees to KIPO.
No, but a pre-filing trademark search is highly recommended to reduce refusal risks.
Register early under the first-to-file system to prevent brand hijacking.
LP Insights
Trademark Registration in South Korea: 2026 Guide South Korea grants trademark rights to the first applicant to file, not the first business to use the mark. Applications go to the Ministry of Intellectual Property (MOIP), take roughly 12 to 16 months on the standard track, and give ten years of protection that can be renewed […]
To Read MoreDon’t leave your intellectual property unprotected. With LP GLOBAL, trademark registration becomes clear, affordable, and stress-free. Whether you’re a startup or an established business, our expert team ensures your brand is safeguarded every step of the way.
