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Request a Free International Trademark Search in over 180 countries
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In this country, there is a final publication/certificate fee when your mark is accepted to registration or publication. We will inform you when the payment can be submitted.
This fee is obligatory in order to complete the registration process. All legal and official payments are included.
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Learn more about our services & prices in South Korea
If registration is required in several countries, please go to TRADEMARK REGISTRATION PAGE
RISK ASSESSMENT
Our legal team reviews similar marks and tells you how likely your name is to be registered, and investigates hidden conflicts.
MULTI-COUNTRY REGISTRATION
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TRADEMARK RENEWAL
Don't let your South Korea trademark expire. We handle the renewal for you, fully online.
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Submit an online form in order to request your trademark registration in South Korea. You can pay later or have your personal consultant check your form first.
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Protect your brand in South Korea with professional trademark registration services from Bonamark.
Trademark registration in South Korea helps businesses protect their brand names, logos, and commercial identities in one of Asia’s most important markets.
Whether you are entering the Korean market, launching an e-commerce business, working with local distributors, or expanding an established international brand, registering your trademark is an important step toward securing your business.
South Korea operates a national trademark registration system administered by the Ministry of Intellectual Property (MOIP), formerly the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO).
Bonamark helps international businesses with trademark searches, legal risk assessments, application preparation, and registration through qualified Korean trademark professionals.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Country | South Korea (Republic of Korea) |
| Trademark office | Ministry of Intellectual Property (MOIP), formerly KIPO |
| Official electronic filing fee | From KRW 46,000–52,000 per class |
| Official registration fee | KRW 201,000 per class for 10 years |
| Registration timeline | Approximately 14–18 months for straightforward applications |
| Opposition period | 30 days from application publication |
| Trademark validity | 10 years, renewable |
| Classification | Nice Classification, 45 classes |
| Foreign applicants | Local representative generally required |
| Madrid Protocol | South Korea is a member |
| Proof of use required for filing | No, but genuine intent to use is required |
Check Your Trademark Availability in South Korea
South Korea is an attractive market for international businesses in technology, electronics, cosmetics, fashion, entertainment, consumer goods, and other industries.
However, a trademark registered in the United States, European Union, Japan, or another country does not automatically provide equivalent protection in South Korea.
If your company plans to enter the Korean market, trademark registration should be part of your business strategy.
A registered trademark grants its owner exclusive rights to use the protected sign for the designated goods and services, subject to applicable legal limitations.
Trademark registration can help you:
South Korea generally follows the first-to-file principle.
This means that filing early is important, even when your company has already been using the brand internationally.
Well-known unregistered trademarks may benefit from certain legal protections, but relying solely on reputation or earlier use can create unnecessary risks.
Registration is especially advisable before signing distribution agreements, launching marketing campaigns, or introducing products under your brand in South Korea.
The South Korea trademark registration cost includes official government fees and professional services.
Government fees are generally paid in two stages: when filing the application and after the trademark is approved for registration.
The Ministry of Intellectual Property publishes the following standard fees:
| Official fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Electronic trademark application | KRW 52,000 per class |
| Electronic application using exclusively approved descriptions | KRW 46,000 per class |
| Paper application | KRW 62,000 per class |
| Registration for 10 years | KRW 201,000 per class |
| Renewal for 10 years | KRW 300,000 per class |
| Request for preferential examination | KRW 160,000 per class |
An additional KRW 2,000 per designated item applies when the number of goods or services exceeds ten within a class.
For a standard electronic application with up to ten designated items per class, the combined filing and registration fees are:
| Classes | Filing fee | Registration fee | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | KRW 52,000 | KRW 201,000 | KRW 253,000 |
| 2 | KRW 104,000 | KRW 402,000 | KRW 506,000 |
| 3 | KRW 156,000 | KRW 603,000 | KRW 759,000 |
These are government fees only. Professional services, translations, searches, and responses to objections are additional.
Bonamark’s advertised price for trademark registration in South Korea starts at:
| Service stage | Price |
|---|---|
| Application preparation and filing, including government filing fees | $400 |
| Final registration stage, payable upon approval | $450 |
| Total for one class | $850 |
| Each additional class | +$380 |
The standard registration package includes the legal and official charges specified in the service quotation.
Additional services, including examination objections, oppositions, and optional legal assessments, may involve further fees.
Our online calculator allows you to estimate the cost based on the number of classes and additional services required.
Calculate Your South Korea Trademark Registration Cost
The South Korea trademark registration process includes searching existing trademarks, preparing an application, substantive examination, publication, opposition, and final registration.
Correct preparation helps avoid unnecessary objections and delays.
Before applying, check whether identical or confusingly similar trademarks already exist.
The official Korean Intellectual Property Rights Information Service (KIPRIS) provides access to Korean trademark application and registration records.
A basic search can identify obvious conflicts, but it may not reveal every potentially problematic trademark.
Differences in spelling, pronunciation, Korean translation, and the designated goods or services can affect the outcome.
Bonamark offers a free preliminary trademark search and more comprehensive legal risk assessments when necessary.
You must decide which part of your brand requires protection.
Wordmarks: Protect distinctive words or names independently of a particular graphic design.
Figurative marks: Protect logos and other graphic elements.
Combined marks: Protect a specific combination of words and visual elements.
For many businesses, a wordmark is a sensible starting point because the brand name often remains unchanged even when the logo is redesigned.
However, the best strategy depends on the distinctiveness of the wording, earlier trademark rights, and your branding plans.
South Korea follows the Nice Classification, which divides goods and services into 45 classes.
Examples include:
South Korea permits multi-class trademark applications.
However, official fees are calculated according to the number of classes, and additional fees can apply when more than ten goods or services are designated within a class.
The classification should cover your actual and reasonably planned commercial activities.
A standard Korean trademark application generally requires:
Applications must comply with Korean-language requirements.
Foreign applicants without a residence or business establishment in South Korea generally need an authorized local representative and a Power of Attorney.
The representative can confirm whether additional documentation is necessary for the particular application.
The application is submitted to the Ministry of Intellectual Property.
Once filing requirements have been satisfied, the application receives an official filing date and application number.
South Korea generally prioritizes earlier applications when determining conflicting trademark rights.
The application then proceeds to formal and substantive examination.
Korean trademark examiners assess whether the mark meets the legal requirements for registration.
This includes evaluating its distinctiveness and potential conflicts with earlier rights.
An application may encounter objections if the mark:
If an objection is issued, the applicant normally has an opportunity to respond through the local representative.
An appropriate response may involve legal arguments, clarification of goods and services, or permitted amendments.
When the examiner finds no grounds for refusal, or an objection has been overcome, the application is published in the official Trademark Publication Gazette.
Third parties may oppose the application within 30 days from publication.
This period was shortened from two months for applications published on or after July 22, 2025.
An opposition may be based on earlier trademark rights or other statutory grounds.
If an opposition is filed, the applicant may need to defend the application before registration proceeds.
If the application satisfies the requirements and no successful opposition prevents registration, MOIP issues a decision allowing registration.
The applicant must then pay the applicable registration fee within the prescribed period.
Once the fee has been paid and the mark entered in the register, the trademark right is established.
The owner receives confirmation of registration and protection for the goods or services covered by the registered mark.
A straightforward trademark registration in South Korea typically takes approximately 14–18 months, although processing times may vary.
According to official statistics published in 2026, the average time from filing to the first examination action was approximately 11.9 months.
Following examination, additional time is needed for publication, the 30-day opposition period, and payment of the registration fee.
Applications involving examination objections, third-party oppositions, or documentation issues may take longer.
Yes. South Korea offers a preferential or accelerated examination procedure for applications meeting certain requirements.
Eligible circumstances may include actual use of the trademark, preparations for use, or other grounds recognized by MOIP.
The official fee for requesting preferential examination is KRW 160,000 per class, excluding professional service fees.
Accelerated examination can reduce the time to an initial examination decision, but it does not guarantee approval or remove the opposition procedure.
Ask About Accelerated Trademark Registration in South Korea
A South Korea trademark search is one of the most important steps before investing in a brand launch.
Korean examiners consider earlier trademarks during substantive examination.
An existing conflicting trademark can therefore lead to refusal even if the earlier owner does not file an opposition.
Trademark similarity may depend on:
For international businesses, Korean pronunciation deserves particular attention.
A brand written in English may sound similar to an earlier trademark written in Hangul, the Korean writing system.
A search limited to identical English words may therefore overlook significant conflicts.
South Korea uses the Nice Classification but also applies its own classification practices and similarity criteria when assessing goods and services.
Two products in different Nice classes may still be considered commercially related, while products within the same class are not necessarily identical or similar.
An effective trademark study should consider the actual goods and services, not simply compare class numbers.
A preliminary search identifies obvious conflicts.
A comprehensive trademark study considers potentially relevant earlier marks, similarity issues, and the risks of registration or opposition.
Depending on the findings, an attorney may recommend:
No trademark search guarantees successful registration.
However, identifying risks early can prevent unnecessary government fees, legal expenses, and branding costs.
Request a Free South Korea Trademark Search
South Korean law recognizes several types of trademarks, including words, logos, letters, numbers, and certain non-traditional signs.
The trademark must be capable of distinguishing one business’s goods or services from those of others.
Fanciful trademarks are invented words without an ordinary meaning. These are often highly distinctive.
Arbitrary trademarks use existing words in an unrelated commercial context.
Suggestive trademarks indirectly communicate something about the product without directly describing it.
By contrast, descriptive and generic trademarks may be refused unless applicable requirements for acquired distinctiveness are met.
For example, attempting to register BEST COSMETICS for cosmetics may encounter objections because the wording describes or promotes the goods rather than identifying a particular commercial source.
A distinctive trademark is generally easier to register, protect, and enforce.
For international businesses, an important strategic decision is whether to register the original brand name, its Korean version, or both.
South Korean consumers frequently encounter international brands written in Hangul.
A Korean transliteration may closely resemble the original name in pronunciation while appearing completely different visually.
Consider a company using an English-language brand internationally but marketing its products in South Korea under a Korean transliteration.
The original English name and its Korean version may be considered similar in some circumstances. However, registering one does not automatically provide identical protection for every translated or transliterated form.
Separate applications may be useful when both versions are central to the company’s branding.
The decision should consider:
A professional trademark search can help determine the best protection strategy.
Yes. Foreign individuals and companies may obtain trademark registration in South Korea without establishing a Korean subsidiary solely to own the trademark.
However, foreign applicants without a local residence or business establishment generally need a Korean representative to handle a direct national application.
International applicants without a Korean address generally must act through an authorized local representative.
The representative prepares and submits the application, manages correspondence, and handles official objections.
A Power of Attorney is generally required to authorize the representative.
Bonamark coordinates with qualified Korean trademark professionals to assist international businesses throughout the process.
Yes. South Korea is a member of the Madrid Protocol.
Eligible applicants can designate South Korea through the WIPO Madrid System when they have an appropriate basic trademark application or registration.
This route may be convenient for businesses seeking protection in several countries.
However, international registrations designating South Korea remain subject to examination under Korean trademark law.
A provisional refusal may require assistance from a Korean trademark professional.
The choice between direct filing and the Madrid System depends on your target markets, costs, and trademark strategy.
A trademark registered in South Korea is valid for 10 years from the registration date.
The registration can be renewed for additional ten-year periods without a fixed limit, provided the applicable requirements and fees are satisfied.
The standard official renewal fee is KRW 300,000 per class for a ten-year term, with additional charges possible for more than ten designated items in a class.
Renewal may normally be requested within the year before expiration.
A six-month grace period is available after expiration, subject to additional fees.
Trademark owners should monitor renewal deadlines and keep ownership information accurate.
Actual commercial use is generally not required when filing a trademark application.
However, applicants should have a genuine intention to use the trademark.
After registration, a trademark may become vulnerable to cancellation if it has not been genuinely used in South Korea for at least three consecutive years without a legally sufficient reason.
Businesses should maintain evidence of commercial use, including sales records, advertising materials, invoices, and product packaging.
Trademark registration does not mean MOIP will automatically protect your brand against every later application or infringement.
Monitoring new applications allows trademark owners to identify potentially conflicting marks and respond within the relevant deadlines.
Bonamark assists with trademark monitoring, renewals, oppositions, assignments, and other post-registration services.
Trademark registration requires more than completing an application form.
A successful registration strategy involves selecting a distinctive brand, assessing earlier rights, choosing appropriate classes, and complying with local procedures.
Bonamark helps international businesses with:
We aim to help businesses obtain practical trademark protection while avoiding unnecessary registration risks and expenses.
Ready to protect your brand in South Korea?
Start with a preliminary trademark search or request a personalized registration quote.
Free Trademark Search Get a Trademark Registration Quote
The standard electronic government filing fee is KRW 52,000 per class, with a reduced rate available for applications using approved descriptions. The standard ten-year registration fee is KRW 201,000 per class. Bonamark currently advertises a complete one-class registration package starting at $850, paid in stages.
Straightforward applications typically take approximately 14–18 months, depending on examination workloads and procedural circumstances. Accelerated examination may be available for eligible applications.
Yes. Foreign individuals and companies can own South Korean trademarks without establishing a local subsidiary. However, applicants without a Korean address generally need an authorized local representative for direct national filing.
Yes. South Korea can be designated through the WIPO Madrid System by eligible applicants. International registrations designating Korea remain subject to Korean trademark examination.
Yes. South Korea accepts multi-class trademark applications. The government filing and registration fees generally increase with the number of classes, and additional designated-item fees may apply.
The opposition period is 30 days from publication for applications published on or after July 22, 2025. Previously, the period was two months. Opponents may supplement their grounds and evidence during an additional prescribed period.
Generally, no. Actual commercial use is not required when filing, but applicants should have a genuine intention to use the trademark. Registered rights may later become vulnerable to cancellation for three consecutive years of non-use.
If your business uses both an English brand name and a Korean transliteration, protecting both versions may be advisable. The appropriate strategy depends on pronunciation, distinctiveness, existing trademarks, and commercial use.
No. Trademark rights are territorial. Registrations in other countries do not automatically provide equivalent registered protection in South Korea.
South Korean trademark registrations are valid for ten years from registration and may be renewed indefinitely for additional ten-year periods.
