Республика Корея

• TABLE OF CONTENTS
• CHAPTER I GENERAL PROVISIONS
  • Article 1 Purpose
  • Article 2 Definitions
  • Article 3 Persons Entitled to Register a Trademark
  • Article 3bis Persons Entitled to Register a Collective Mark
  • Article 4 Persons Entitled to Register a Business Emblem
  • Article 5 Mutatis Mutandis Application of the Patent Act
• CHAPTER II REQUIREMENTS FOR TRADEMARK REGISTRATION AND TRADEMARK APPLICATIONS
  • Article 6 Requirements for Trademark Registration
  • Article 7 Unregistrable Trademarks
  • Article 8 First-to-File Rule
  • Article 9 Application for Trademark Registration
  • Article 9bis According the Filing Date etc.
  • Article 10 A Single Application for a Single Trademark
  • Article 11 Deleted
  • Article 12 Transfer and Partial Assignment of an Application for Trademark Registration etc.
  • Article 13 Amendment of Procedure
  • Article 14 Amendment before Decision of Publication of Application
  • Article 15 Amendment after Decision of Publication of Application
  • Article 16 Material Change of Application
  • Article 17 Rejection of Amendment
  • Article 17bis Submission of Amended Articles of Association
  • Article 18 Division of Application for Trademark Registration
  • Article 19 Conversion of an Application
  • Article 20 Priority Claim under Treaty
  • Article 21 Special Provisions on the Time of Filing an Application
• CHAPTER III EXAMINATION
  • Article 22 Examination by Examiner
  • Article 22bis Request etc. for Inspection of a Trademark by a Specialized Searching Agency
  • Article 22ter Revocation of Designation as a Specialized Searching Agency, etc
  • Article 23 Decision to Refuse Trademark Registration and Notification of Reasons for Refusal
  • Article 24 Publication of an Application
  • Article 24bis Right to Demand Compensation for Loss
  • Article 25 Opposition to a Trademark Registration
  • Article 26 Amendment of Reasons for an Opposition to a Trademark Registration
  • Article 27 Decision on an Opposition to Trademark Registration
  • Article 28 Decision of Refusal to Register a Trademark Made Ex Officio after Publication
  • Article 29 Concurrent Oppositions to Trademark Registration
  • Article 30 Decision to Grant Registration of a Trademark
  • Article 31 Method of Decision to Grant or Refuse Trademark Registration
  • Article 32 Suspension of Examination or Litigation Proceedings
  • Article 33 Mutatis Mutandis Application of the Patent Act
• CHAPTER IV TRADEMARK REGISTRATION FEES AND REGISTRATION OF TRADEMARKS
  • Article 34 Trademark Registration Fees
  • Article 34bis Abandoning Some or All Designated Goods When Paying Trademark Registration Fees
  • Article 35 Extension of Payment Period for Trademark Registration Fees
  • Article 36 Abandoning an Application for Trademark Registration as a Consequence of Nonpayment of Trademark Registration Fees
  • Article 36bis Supplementary Trademark Registration Fees
  • Article 36ter Recovery of an Application for Trademark Registration by PayingTrademark Registration Fees etc.
  • Article 37 Official Fees
  • Article 38 Refund of Trademark Registration Fees
  • Article 39 Trademark Register
  • Article 40 Issuance of a Trademark Registration Certificate
• CHAPTER V TRADEMARK RIGHT
  • Article 41 Registration of Establishment of a Trademark Right
  • Article 42 The Term of a Trademark Right
  • Article 43 Application to Renew the Term of a Registered Trademark
  • Article 44 Division of an Application to Renew the Term of a Registered Trademark
  • Article 45 Refusal of Registration for Renewal of the Term and Notification of Reasons for Refusal
  • Article 46 Effects of an Application to Renew the Term of a Registered Trademark etc.
  • Article 46bis Application to Register the Reclassification of Goods
  • Article 46ter Division of an Application to Register the Reclassification of Goods
  • Article 46quater Decision to Refuse Registration of the Reclassification of Goods and Notification of the Reasons for Refusal
  • Article 46quinquies Registration of the Reclassification of Goods
  • Article 47 Application for Supplementary Registration of Designated Goods
  • Article 48 Decision to Refuse Supplementary Registration of Designated Goods and Notification of Reasons for Refusal
  • Article 49 Mutatis Mutandis Application of the Patent Act
  • Article 50 Effects of a Trademark Right
  • Article 51 Limitations of a Trademark Right
  • Article 52 Extent of Protection of a Registered Trademark etc.
  • Article 53 Relationship with Another Design Right etc.
  • Article 54 Assignment and Joint Ownership of a Trademark etc.
  • Article 54bis Division of a Trademark Right
  • Article 55 Exclusive License
  • Article 56 Effects of Registration on Trademark Right and Exclusive License
  • Article 57 Nonexclusive License
  • Article 57bis Right to Use a Trademark after the Term of a Patent Right Expires etc.
  • Article 57ter Right to Continued Use of a Trademark by Virtue of Prior Use
  • Article 58 Effects of Registration of a Nonexclusive License etc.
  • Article 59 Abandonment of a Trademark Right
  • Article 60 Restriction on Abandonment of a Trademark Right etc.
  • Article 61 Effect of Abandonment
  • Article 62 Pledge
  • Article 63 Subrogation for Right of Pledge
  • Article 64 Extinguishment of a Trademark Right
  • Article 64bis Extinguishment of a Trademark Right in the Absence of Registration of the Reclassification of Goods
• CHAPTER VI PROTECTION OF OWNER OF A TRADEMARK RIGHT
  • Article 65 Injunction etc. against an Infringement
  • Article 66 Acts Considered to be an Infringement
  • Article 67 Presumption etc. of the Amount of Damages
  • Article 68 Presumption of Intent
  • Article 69 Measures for Recovering the Business Reputation of the Owner of a Trademark Right etc
  • Article 70 Submission of Documents
• CHAPTER VII TRIAL
  • Article 70bis Trial against Decision of Refusal
  • Article 70ter Trial against a Decision to Reject an Amendment
  • Article 71 Invalidation Trial of a Trademark Registration
  • Article 72 Invalidation Trial for Renewal of the Term of a Registered Trademark
  • Article 72bis Invalidation Trial of a Registration for the Reclassification of Goods
  • Article 73 Trial for the Cancellation of a Registered Trademark
  • Article 74 Trial for the Cancellation of the Registration of an Exclusive or Nonexclusive License
  • Article 75 Trial to Confirm the Scope of a Trademark Right
  • Article 76 Term of Exclusion
  • Article 77 Mutatis Mutandis Application of the Patent Act
  • Article 78 Deleted
  • Article 79 Formal Requirements for Requesting a Trial against an Examiner's Decision to Refuse or Reject an Amendment
  • Article 80 Deleted
  • Article 81 Mutatis Mutandis Application of Provisions Concerning Examination inthe Trial against the Decision of Refusal
  • Article 82 Special Provisions of a Trial against the Decision to Refuse or the Decision to Reject an Amendment
• CHAPTER VIII RETRIAL AND LITIGATION
  • Article 83 Request for a Retrial
  • Article 84 Request for a Retrial on Account of Collusion
  • Article 85 Restriction on the Effects of a Trademark Right Restored by a Retrial
  • Article 86 Mutatis Mutandis Application of the Patent Act
• CHAPTER VIIIbis INTERNATIONAL APPLICATIONS UNDER THE PROTOCOL
  • Part I. International Applications etc.
    • Article 86bis International Applications
    • Article 86ter Entitlement to File
    • Article 86quater Procedure for an International Application
    • Article 86quinquies Examination of the Particulars of an International Application etc.
    • Article 86sexies Subsequent Designation
    • Article 86septies Renewal of Term
    • Article 86octies Recording a Change of Ownership of an International Registration
    • Article 86novies Payment of Official Fees
    • Article 86decies Amendment concerning Nonpayment of Official Fees
    • Article 86undecies Invalidation of a Procedure
    • Article 86duodecies Recording a Change in International Registration Matters
    • Article 86terdecies Exclusion of Business Emblems
  • Part II. Special Provisions on an International Application for Trademark Registration
    • Article 86quaterdecies International Application for Trademark Registration
    • Article 86quindecies Special Provision on Business Emblems
    • Article 86sedecies Special Provisions on an International Application for Trademark Registration
    • Article 86septiesdecies Effect of an International Application for Trademark Registration of a Domestically Registered Trademark
    • Article 86duodevicies Special Provisions for the Transfer and Partial Assignment of an Application for Trademark Registration etc.
    • Article 86undevicies Special Provisions for Amendments
    • Article 86vicies Special Provision for the Division of Applications
    • Article 86unvicies Special Provision for the Conversion of Applications
    • Article 86duovicies Special Provision for a Priority Claim under the Paris Convention
    • Article 86tervicies Special Provision on the Time of Filing an Application
    • Article 86quatervicies Special Provision for Notification of Grounds for Refusal
    • Article 86quinvicies Special Provision for Publication of an Application
    • Article 86sevicies Special Provision for the Right to Demand Compensation for Losses
    • Article 86septiesvicies Special Provisions for a Decision to Register a Trademark
    • Article 86duodetricies Special Provisions for Trademark Registration Fees
    • Article 86undetricies Special Provision for Refunding Trademark RegistrationFees etc.
    • Article 86tricies Special Provisions for Registration in the Trademark Register
    • Article 86untricies Special Provision for Registering the Establishment of a Trademark Right
    • Article 86duotricies Special Provisions for the Term of a Trademark Right
    • Article 86tertricies Special Provision for an Application for Supplementary Registration of Designated Goods
    • Article 86quatertricies Special Provision for the Division of a Trademark Right
    • Article 86quintricies Special Provisions for the Effects of a Trademark Right
    • Article 86setricies Effects of Canceling an International Registration
    • Article 86septiestricies Special Provisions on Abandoning a Trademark Right
    • Article 86duodequadragies Special Provision on an Invalidation Trial for Renewal of the Term of a Registered Trademark
  • Part III. Special Provisions on an Application for Trademark Registration
    • Article 86undequadragies Special Provisions on an Application for Trademark Registration after Cancellation of an International Registration
    • Article 86quadragies Special Provisions on an Application for Trademark Registration after Denunciation of the Protocol
    • Article 86unquadragies Special Provision on Examinations
    • Article 86duoquadragies Special Provision on the Statute of Limitation
• CHAPTER IX SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS
  • Article 87 Inspection of Documents etc.
  • Article 88 Prohibition of Opening or Removing the Trademark Register and Documents Related to an Application for a Trademark Registration, Examination,Trial or Retrial
  • Article 89 Trademark Gazette
  • Article 90 Indication of Trademark Registration
  • Article 90bis Indication of a Registered Homonymous Collective Mark for a Geographical Indication
  • Article 91 Prohibition of False Indication
  • Article 91bis Special Provision on a Trademark etc. that is Similar to a Registered Trademark
  • Article 92 Mutatis Mutandis Application of the Patent Act
• CHAPTER X PENAL PROVISIONS
  • Article 93 Offense of Infringement
  • Article 94 Offense of Perjury
  • Article 95 Offense of False Marking
  • Article 96 Offense of Fraud
  • Article 97 Dual Liability
  • Article 97 bis Confiscation
  • Article 98 Administrative Fine
• ADDENDA
  • ADDENDUM
    • Article 1 Date of Entry into Force
    • Article 2 General Transitional Measures
    • Article 3 Transitional Measures on the Dismissal of a Correction
    • Article 4 Transitional Measures on an Application for Trademark Registration etc.
    • Article 5 Transitional Measures on the Effect of Renewing the Term of a Registered Trademark
    • Article 6 Transitional Measures on the Effect of a License
    • Article 7 Transitional Measures on Trials Related to a Registered Trademark etc.
    • Article 8 Transitional Measures on the Procedures and Expenses of Trials andCompensation for Damages etc.
  • ADDENDUM (Government Organization Act)
    • Article 1 Date of Entry into Force
    • Articles 2 and 3 Deleted
    • Article 4 Amendment of Other Acts
    • Article 5 Deleted
  • ADDENDUM
    • Article 1 Date of Entry into Force
    • Article 2 Transitional Measures on Applications for Trademark Registration etc.
    • Article 3 Transitional Measures on Refunding Trademark Registration Fees etc.
    • Article 4 Transitional Measures on Trials Related to a Registered Trademark etc.
  • ADDENDUM
    • Article 1 Date of Entry into Force
    • Article 2 Transitional Measures on Pending Cases
    • Article 3 Transitional Measures on Cases etc. that May Be Appealed
    • Article 4 Transitional Measures on Retrials
    • Article 5 Transfer etc. of Documents
  • ADDENDUM
  • ADDENDUM (Patent Act)
    • Article 1 Date of Entry into Force
    • Articles 2 to 4 Deleted
    • Article 5 Amendment of Other Acts
  • ADDENDUM
    • Article 1 Date of Entry into Force
    • Article 2 Transitional Measures on an Application for Trademark Registration etc.
    • Article 3 Transitional Measures on Trials Related to a Registered Trademark etc.
    • Article 4 Transitional Measures on a Associated Trademark
    • Article 5 Transitional Measures on the Revocation Trial of a TrademarkRegistration
    • Article 6 Transitional Measures on Three-Dimensional Trademarks
  • ADDENDUM (Patent Act)
    • Article 1 Date of Entry into Force
    • Articles 2 to 4 Deleted
    • Article 5 Amendment of Other Acts
  • ADDENDUM
    • Article 1 Date of Entry into Force
    • Article 2 Application Examples on the Right to Demand Compensation for Loss
    • Article 3 Transitional Measures on Examining Applications for TrademarkRegistration etc.
    • Article 4 Transitional Measures on Trials Related to a Registered Trademark etc
  • ADDENDUM (Civil Procedure Act)
    • Article 1 Date of Entry into Force
    • Articles 2 to 5 Deleted
    • Article 6 Amendment of Other Acts
    • Article 7 Deleted
  • ADDENDUM
  • ADDENDUM (Design Protection Act)
    • Article 1 Date of Entry into Force
    • Articles 2 to 4 Deleted
    • Article 5 Amendment of Other Acts
  • ADDENDUM
  • ADDENDUM
    • Article 1 Date of Entry into Force
    • Article 2 Application Examples on Application for Trademark Registration and Requirements for Trademark Registration
    • Article 3 Application Examples on Prior Application
    • Article 4 Application Examples on Publication of Application for, and Opposition to, a Trademark Registration
    • Article 5 Application Examples on the Refund of Trademark Registration Fees, etc.
    • Article 6 Application Examples on Reasons for Refusal of Application for Goods Reclassification Registration
    • Article 7 Application Examples on the Right to the Continued Use of Trademark by Virtue of Prior Use
    • Article 8 Application Examples on Extinguishment of Trademark Right in the Event of No Registration of Goods Reclassification
    • Article 9 Application Examples on Remuneration for Patent Attorneys
    • Article 10 Special Provision on Claiming Priority Right under a Treaty When Applying to Register a Trademarks Comprising a Color, Hologram or Action
    • Article 11 Transitional Measures Regarding Applications and Requirements for Trademark Registration

(iiiter) "homonymous geographical indication" means a geographical indication 

that has the same pronunciation as another geographical indication on the same type of goods, but which refers to a different geographical region;

(iiiquarter) "collective mark for a geographical indication" means a collective mark intended to be used by a legal entity composed solely of persons who conduct business activities such as producing, manufacturing, processing, or selling goods; members of the legal entity can use the collective mark for their goods;

(iv) 

"business emblem" means a mark used by a person conducting a nonprofit business to indicate the person's business;

(v) 

"registered trademark" means a trademark for which trademark registration has been granted; and 

(vi) 

"use of a trademark" means any of the following acts:

(a) 

using trademarks on goods or their packaging;

(b) 

selling or delivering goods or their packaging on which trademarks have been used, or displaying, exporting or importing such goods or their packaging for the purposes of selling or delivering; or

(c) 

using a trademark on advertisements, price lists, business papers, signboards or labels, or displaying or distributing them. 

(2) 

Acts of using a trademark on goods or their packaging, advertisements, signboards or labels under paragraph (1)(vi)(a) to (c) of this Article include the use of goods or their packaging, advertisements, signboards or labels as shapes of marks. 

(3) 

Except as otherwise stipulated in this Act, the provisions in this Act that are related to trademarks apply to service marks, collective marks and business emblems. 

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Article 3 Persons Entitled to Register a Trademark

A person who uses or intends to use a trademark in the Republic of Korea is entitled to trademark registration; however, employees of the Korean Intellectual Property Office or employees of the Intellectual Property Tribunal are not entitled to register trademarks during their employment at the office or tribunal except in the case of inheritance or a bequest. 

Article 3bis Persons Entitled to Register a Collective Mark

A legal entity jointly founded by persons who conduct business activities such as producing, manufacturing, processing, certifying or selling goods or persons who conduct service business (limited to a legal entity comprising only those persons engaging in the business of producing, manufacturing or processing goods for which a geographical indication can be used, in the case of a collective mark for a geographical indication) may have their collective marks registered. 

Article 4 Persons Entitled to Register a Business Emblem

Any person who conducts a nonprofit business in the Republic of Korea is entitled to register a business emblem. 

Article 5 Mutatis Mutandis Application of the Patent Act

Articles 3 to 26 and 28 to 28quinquies of the Patent Act apply mutatis mutandis to trademarks. In such cases, "Trial" in Article 3(2) of the Patent Act reads "opposition to, and trial of, a trademark registration", "person who requests an examination of a patent application" in Article 4 of the Patent Act reads "person filing an opposition to a trademark registration", "Article 132ter" in Articles 6 and 11(1)(iv) and the main part of Article 17 of the Patent Act reads "Article 70bis or 70ter", "Article 132ter" in Article 15(1) of the Patent Act reads "period for amending the reasons for an opposition to a trademark registration under Articles 26, 70bis or 70ter"; furthermore, in the proviso of

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Article 28(2) of the Patent Act, "patent right and other" reads "trademark right and 

other", and "Article 2(vii) of the Patent Cooperation Treaty" reads "Article 2(2) of the Protocol Relating to the Madrid Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Marks (referred to as "the Protocol")."

CHAPTER II REQUIREMENTS FOR TRADEMARK REGISTRATION AND TRADEMARK APPLICATIONS

Article 6 Requirements for Trademark Registration

(1) 

Trademark registration may be obtained except in any of the following cases:

(i) 

where the mark consists solely of a sign indicating, in a common way, the usual name of the goods;

(ii) 

where the mark is customarily used on the goods;

(iii) where the mark consists solely of a sign indicating, in a common way, the origin, quality, raw materials, efficacy, use, quantity, shape (including the shape of the packaging) or price of the goods, or the method or time of manufacturing, processing or using them;

(iv) 

where the mark consists solely of a sign indicating a conspicuous geographical name, an abbreviation of a conspicuous geographical name or a map;

(v) 

where the mark consists solely of a sign indicating, in a common way, a common surname or name of a legal entity;

(vi) 

where the mark consists solely of a very simple and commonplace sign; or

(vii) in addition to the cases mentioned in subparagraphs (i) to (vi) of this Article, where the mark does not enable consumers to recognize the person whose goods are indicated by the mark. 

(2) 

Even if a trademark that falls under paragraphs (1)(iii) to (vi) of this Article, where, as a result of using the trademark before the application for registration under Article 9 of this Act, consumers are easily able to recognize the person whose goods are indicated by the trademark, the trademark may be registered with the designated goods for which the trademark has been used; the same applies to designated goods and supplementary designated goods as defined in Articles 10(1) and 47(2)(iii) of this Act. 

(3) 

Notwithstanding marks that are subject to paragraph (1)(iii) of this Article (which is limited to the producing area) or paragraph (1)(iv) of this Article, whenever a mark is used as a geographical indication on specific goods, a collective mark for a geographical indication may be registered for designated goods that use the geographical indication. 

Article 7 Unregistrable Trademarks

(1) 

Notwithstanding Article 6, trademark registration may not be obtained in any of the following cases:

(i) 

trademarks that are identical or similar to the following: the national flag, the national emblem, as well as colors, medals, decorations or badges of the Republic of Korea; the national flags or emblems of foreign nations; the medals, decorations or badges of the countries party to the Paris Convention for the Protection of Intellectual Property (referred to as "the Paris Convention") or of the members of the World Trade Organization or of the contracting parties to the Trademark Law Treaty; the titles or marks of the Red Cross, Olympic organizations or wellknown international organizations; titles or marks that are identical or similar to seals or signs of the Republic of Korea, or of the countries party to the Paris Convention, the members of the World Trade Organization, the contracting parties to the Trademark Law Treaty or the public organizations of these that are used for indicating supervision or certification;

(ii) 

trademarks that falsely indicate a connection with, or that criticize, insult or

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are liable to defame, any nation, race, ethnic group, public organization, religion or wellknown deceased person;

(iii) trademarks that are identical or similar to wellknown marks that indicate a nonprofit business of a State, a public organization or its agencies or public corporations, or a nonprofit public service; however, this provision does not apply where a nonprofit business of a State, a public organization or its agencies or public corporations, or a nonprofit public service apply to register such marks as their business emblems;

(iv) 

a trademark itself or, when used in goods, a trademark whose meaning and details are perceived by users as being liable to contravene public order or morality;

(v) 

trademarks comprising a mark that is identical or similar to a medal, certificate of merit or decoration awarded at an exhibition held by or with the authorization of the Government of the Republic of Korea or at an exhibition held by or with the authorization of the government of a foreign country, unless a person who has been awarded a medal, certificate of merit or decoration has used it as part of the trademark on the same goods for which the medal, certificate of merit or decoration was awarded at the exhibition;

(vi) 

trademarks containing the name, title or trade name, portrait, signature or seal, famous pseudonym, professional name or pen name of wellknown persons, or an abbreviation of these, unless the consent of the person concerned has been obtained;

(vii) trademarks that are identical or similar to another person's registered trademark (excluding a registered collective mark for a geographical indication) when the registration was applied for before the filing date of the trademark applications concerned and when the trademarks are to be used on goods identical or similar to the designated goods;

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(viibis) trademarks that are identical or similar to another person's registered 

collective mark for a geographical indication when the registration was applied for before the filing date of the trademark applications concerned and when the trademarks are to be used on goods identical or similar to the designated goods;

(viii) trademarks that are identical or similar to another person's registered trademark (excluding a registered collective mark for a geographical indication) when not more than a year has elapsed since the date on which the trademark right expired (that is, the date on which a trial decision became final for a trial decision invalidating a trademark registration) and when the trademarks are to be used on goods that are identical or similar to the designated goods;

(viiibis) trademarks that are identical or similar to another person's registered collective mark for a geographical indication when not more than a year has elapsed since the date on which the registered collective mark for a geographical indication right expired (or the date on which a trial decision became final for a trial decision invalidating a collective mark for a geographical indication) and when the trademarks are to be used on goods identical to the designated goods;

(ix) 

trademarks that are identical or similar to another person's trademark when that other person's trademark (excluding a geographical indication) is well known among consumers to indicate or resemble the other person's goods, and when the trademarks are to be used on goods that are identical or similar to such goods;

(ixbis) trademarks that are identical or similar to another person's geographical indication when that other person's geographical indication is well known among consumers to indicate or resemble a certain region's goods and when the trademarks are to be used on goods that are identical or similar to such goods;

(x) 

trademarks that are liable to cause confusion with the goods or services of another person because consumers easily recognize the trademark as designating the goods or services of the other person;

(xi)

trademarks that are liable to mislead or deceive consumers on the quality of the

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goods;

(xii) trademarks that are identical or similar to a trademark (excluding a geographical indication) that consumers inside or outside the Republic of Korea easily recognize as indicating the goods of a particular person, and which are used to obtain unjust profits or to inflict harm on a particular person and so on;

(xiibis) trademarks that are identical or similar to a geographical indication that consumers inside or outside the Republic of Korea easily recognize as indicating the goods of a certain region, and which are used to obtain unjust profits or to inflict harm on a legitimate users of the geographical indication and so on;

(xiii) trademarks that consist solely of threedimensional shapes that are essential for securing the functions of goods, or their packagings, that require trademark registration; or

(xiv) trademarks that consist of a geographical indication or include a geographical indication of the origin of wines or spirits in a member state of the World Trade Organization, and which are used for wines, spirits or other similar goods. However, this provision does not apply if a legitimate user of a geographical indication applies to register a collective mark for a geographical indication under Article 9(3) of this Act and the relevant goods are the designated goods. 

(2) 

Where a trademark falls under paragraphs (1)(vi), (ix), (ixbis) and (x) of this Article, the respective provisions do not apply if the trademark does not fall under the respective subparagraphs when the applicant applies for trademark registration (however, the matter of whether the applicant for trademark registration pertains to another person under the provisions of paragraphs (1)(vi), (ix), (ix bis) and (x) of this Article is excluded from all the matters in those provisions). 

(3) 

Where a trademark falls under paragraph (1)(vii), (viibis), (viii) and (viiibis) of this Article, the respective provisions apply if the trademark falls under the respective

17 

subparagraphs when the applicant applies for trademark registration (or if the registered trademark of another person is invalidated under Article 71(3) of this Act); however, the matter of whether the applicant for trademark registration (referred to as "the applicant") pertains to another person in the relevant subparagraphs is not determined on the basis of whether the applicant pertains to another person in the relevant subparagraphs when the applicant applies for the trademark registration. 

(4) 

Paragraphs (1)(viii) and (viiibis) of this Article do not apply to the following cases:

(i) 

where the registered trademark has not been used for more than one year retroactively from the date on which the trademark right was extinguished;

(ii) 

where a rightful applicant applies to register the trademark, after a decision on invalidation or revocation becomes final because the registered trademark violates paragraphs (1)(vi), (ix), (ixbis), (x), (xii) and (xiibis) of this Article or Articles 8 or 73(1)(vii) of this Act; or

(iii) where an applicant applies to register the trademark after the period of six months as prescribed in Article 43(2) of this Act has elapsed without applying to renew the term of the registered trademark. 

(iv) 

where a person requesting a cancellation trial files an application for trademark registration under Article 8(5) and 8(6) of this Act; or

(v) 

where, under any subparagraph of Article 8(5), an application for trademark registration is filed after the expiry of the period in which a person requesting a cancellation trial may obtain a trademark registration under Article 8(5). 

(5)

Where a trial for the cancellation of a trademark registration is requested under Article 73(1)(ii), (iii), and (v) to (xii) of this Act, and where any of the following subparagraphs occurs after the date of requesting the cancellation trial, the owner of the trademark right and any person using the trademark may not obtain trademark registration for a trademark that is identical or similar to a registered trademark extinguished with respect to goods (the collective mark for geographical indication is limited to an identical goods)that are identical or similar to the designated goods of the extinguished registered trademark, unless three years have elapsed since the day on which each of the following subparagraphs occurs:

(i) 

where the trademark right has been extinguished because the term has

expired;

(ii) 

where a person with the trademark right abandons the trademark right or some of the designated goods;

(iii) where the trial decision on the cancellation of a trademark registration has become final;

(6) 

Paragraph (1)(viibis) (viiibis) and (ixbis) may not be applicable between the collective marks for homonymous geographical indication. 

Article 8 FirsttoFile Rule

(1) 

Where two or more applications for trademark registration related to identical or similar trademarks that are to be used on identical or similar goods are filed on different dates, only the applicant filing the application with the earlier filing date may obtain trademark registration for the trademark. 

(2) 

Where two or more applications for trademark registration related to identical or similar trademarks that are to be used on identical or similar goods are filed on the same date, a consultation will be held among all the applicants and the person agreed upon by all the applicants may obtain trademark registration for the trademark. If no agreement is reached or no consultation is possible, the trademark registration may be obtained only by the applicant chosen by a lottery conducted by the Commissioner of the Korean Intellectual Property Office. 

(3) 

Where an application for trademark registration has been abandoned, withdrawn or invalidated, or where an examiner's decision or trial decision to refuse trademark registration has become final, the application, for the purposes of paragraphs (1) and (2) of this Article, is deemed never to have been filed.

(4)

In cases under paragraph (2) of this Article, the Commissioner of the Korean Intellectual Property Office shall instruct the applicants to give notice of any agreement they reach and to report the terms of their agreement. If they do not submit a report

18 

19 

within the designated period, the applicants are deemed not to have reached an agreement within the meaning of paragraph (2) of this Article. 

(5)

Where a trial for the cancellation of a registered trademark is requested under Article 73(1)(iii) of this Act and where each of the following subparagraphs occurs after the day on which the cancellation trial is requested, only the person requesting the cancellation trial may obtain trademark registration for the trademark that is identical or similar to the registered trademark that has been extinguished because of goods that are identical or similar to the designated goods of the registered trademark that has been extinguished for a period of six months after the date on which each of the following subparagraphs occurs (however, in the case of subparagraph (iii) of this Act, when a lawsuit is instituted in relation to a trial decision that cancels a trademark registration and the trial decision consequently becomes final as a result of the withdrawal of a lawsuit or appeal, the six month period of extinguishment begins on the date of the withdrawal of the lawsuit or appean( �/span>:

(i) 

when the period under Article 43(2) of this Act expires;

(ii) 

when a person with the trademark right abandons the trademark right or some of the designated goods; or

(iii) when the trial decision on the cancellation of a trademark registration has become final.

(6) 

Where a trial for the cancellation of a registered trademark is requested under Article 73(1)(iii) of this Act, and where an application for trademark registration that falls under either of the following subparagraphs is filed after the date of the request, only the person who requested the cancellation trial may obtain a trademark registration:

(i) 

where a registered trademark for which a cancellation trial has been requested is extinguished due to the expiry of the term of the trademark right and where an application to register a trademark which is identical or similar to the extinguished trademark and which is to be used for goods that are identical or similar to the designated goods is filed during the period stipulated in the proviso of Article 43(2); or

(ii) 

Where a lawsuit is instituted against a trial decision to cancel a registered 

20 

trademark and the trial decision subsequently becomes final as a result of a withdrawal of the lawsuit or an appeal to a higher court, and where the registered trademark for which a cancellation trial is requested is extinguished accordingly, and where an application to register a trademark that is identical or similar to the extinguished trademark and intended for use on goods that are identical or similar to the designated goods is filed during the period from the date on which the trial decision becomes final to the date on which the lawsuit or appeal is withdrawn. 

(7) 

Paragraphs (1) and (2) of this Article do not apply in either of the following cases:

(i) 

where two or more applications to register a collective mark for a geographical indication, or where an application to register a collective mark and an application to register a trademark for a geographical indication, are filed for identical or similar marks intended for use on nonidentical goods; or

(ii) 

where two or more applications to register a collective mark for a geographical indication are filed for marks that are homonymous geographical indications. 

(8) 

Paragraph (5) of this Article does not apply in either of the following cases:

(i) 

where the goods referred to in an application to register a trademark are not identical to the designated goods and the mark in the application is similar or identical to the expired collective mark for a geographical indication; or

(ii) 

where the mark in an application to register a collective mark for a geographical indication is applicable to a collective mark for a geographical indication with an lapsed registration and a homonymous collective mark for a geographical indication. 

21 

Article 9 Application for Trademark Registration

(1) 

A person seeking to register a trademark shall file an application with the Commissioner of the Korean Intellectual Property Office, stating the following:

(i) 

the name and address of the applicant (and, if a legal entity, the name and address of the business);

(ii) 

the name and residential or business address of the agent, if any (and, if the agent is a patent legal entity, the name and address of the business and the name of the designated patent attorney);

(iii) the trademark;

(iv) 

the list of designated goods and the class of goods;

(v) 

the matters prescribed under Article 20(3) (only when claiming a priority right);

(vi) 

deleted;

(vii) the matters prescribed by ordinance of the Ministry of Knowledge Economy.

(2) 

A person seeking to register a trademark that comprises a threedimensional shape, color, hologram, action or other visually recognizable construct shall state, in the application, the purpose of receiving the trademark registration as prescribed by ordinance of the Ministry of Knowledge Economy. 

(3) 

A person seeking to register a collective mark shall file an application to register a collective mark stating the matters mentioned in the subparagraphs of paragraph (1) of this Article accompanied by the articles of association that govern the use of the collective mark, as prescribed by Presidential Decree. If the person is seeking to register the collective mark for a geographical indication under Article 2(1)(iiiquater) of this Act, the person shall describe the purpose of the collective mark in the application and submit the application along with documentary evidence that the mark complies with the definition of a geographical indication under Article 2(1)(iiibis) of this Act. 

(4) 

A person seeking to register a business emblem shall file an application to register a business emblem stating the matters mentioned in the subparagraphs of paragraph (1) of this Article accompanied by documents proving the existence of a business management.

Article 9bis According the Filing Date etc. 

(1) 

The Commissioner of the Korean Intellectual Property Office shall decide to accord as the date of a trademark application the date of receiving a trademark application unless the application falls under any of the following paragraphs:

(i) 

where the indication that trademark registration is sought is not clear;

(ii) 

where the name or the title of the applicant is not indicated, or the indication is not considered sufficient to the extent to enable the identification of the applicant;

(iii) where a trademark for which the registration is sought is not indicated; or the indication is not clearly discernable;

(iv) 

where the designated goods are not indicated; or

(v) 

where the application is not filed in the Korean language. 

(2) 

Where an application for trademark registration falls under any subparagraph of paragraph (1), the Commissioner of the Korean Intellectual Property Office shall instruct the applicant to make the required correction within a designated period. 

(3) 

Where an applicant supplements an application for trademark registration in accordance with the order to supplement under paragraph (2), the applicant shall submit documents for the procedure to supplement the application (referred to as "a request to supplement the procedure"). 

(4) 

Where an applicant who has received an order to supplement under paragraph (2) does so within the designated period, the Commissioner of the Korean Intellectual Property Office shall accord as the date of the trademark application the date of

22 

23 

receiving the request to supplement the procedure by the Korean Intellectual Property

Office. 

(5) 

Where an applicant who has received an order to supplement under paragraph (2) does not do so within the designated period, the Commissioner of the Korean Intellectual Property Office may return the application for trademark registration on the grounds that the application is defective. 

Article 10 A Single Application for a Single Trademark

(1) 

A person seeking to register a trademark shall designate one or more classes of goods for the classification of goods prescribed by ordinance of the Ministry of Knowledge Economy, and file an application for each trademark. In such cases, the person may designate goods and services in a single application as prescribed by ordinance of the Ministry of Knowledge Economy. 

(2) 

Specific goods that belong to each class of goods under paragraph (1) of this Article are determined and published by the Commissioner of the Korean Intellectual Property Office. 

(3) 

the classification of goods under paragraph (1) of this Article does not determine the extent of the similarity of goods. 

Article 11 Deleted

Article 12 Transfer and Partial Assignment of an Application for Trademark Registration etc. 

(1) 

The transfer of an application for trademark registration, except for inheritance or other general succession, is not effective against third parties without notification that a change of applicant has been recorded. 

(2) 

An application for trademark registration may be transferred separately for each of the goods designated in the application. In this case, designated goods that are similar must be transferred together. 

(3) 

Deleted. 

(4) 

For inheritance or other general succession, the successor in title shall immediately notify the Commissioner of the Korean Intellectual Property Office of the succession. 

(5) 

Where an application for trademark registration is jointly owned, the owners may not transfer their individual share without the consent of the other owners.

(6) 

An application for trademark registration that is partially assigned under paragraph 

(2) 

of this Article is deemed to have been filed at the time of filing the original application, unless Articles 20(3) and (4) or 21(2) apply. 

(7) 

An application to register a business emblem may not be transferred unless the business emblem is transferred with the business.

(8) 

An application for trademark registration under Article 7(1)(iii) may be transferred only with a business related to the mark referred to in the main sentence of that Article. 

(9) 

An application to register a collective mark may not be transferred. However, for the merger of legal entities, the application may be transferred with the authorization of the Commissioner of the Korean Intellectual Property Office. 

24 

Article 13 Amendment of Procedure

The Commissioner of the Korean Intellectual Property Office or the President of the Intellectual Property Tribunal may order the amendment of an application, a request or any other procedure within a period designated by the Commissioner or President in any of the following cases:

(i) 

where the requirements of Article 3(1) of this Act or Article 6 of the Patent Act, as applied under Article 5 of this Act, have not been complied with;

(ii) 

where the formalities requirements prescribed in this Act or by ordinance

25 

under this Act have not been complied with; or

(iii) where the fees required under Article 37 have not been paid. 

Article 14 Amendment before Decision of Publication of Application

(1) 

Excluding the cases specified in Article 15, an applicant may amend a trademark or the list of designated goods in the application for trademark registration if the amendment does not cause a material change to the application. 

(2) 

An amendment under paragraph (1) of this Article may not be made after the transmittal of a certified copy of the examiner's decision to grant or refuse trademark registration (referred to as "a decision to grant or refuse trademark registration"). However, where a trial against a decision of refusal is requested under Article 70bis, an amendment may be made within thirty days of the request, or within the period in which the written opinion is to be submitted under Articles 23(2), 45(2), 46quater(2) or 48(2), which apply under Article 81. 

Article 15 Amendment after Decision of Publication of Application

Within the period set forth under any of the following conditions, an applicant may amend or correct designated goods or a specimen, or both, in response to reasons for refusal, reasons for opposition, reasons for a decision to refuse trademark registration, or a decision to refuse supplementary registration of the designated goods as long as the subject matter is not materially changed when a rejection notice is served under Article 23(2) or Article 48(2) after the certified copy of the decision on publication of the application under Article 24 is delivered, when an opposition to the trademark registration is brought under Article 25, or when an appeal against a decision of refusal under Article 70(2) is requested against a decision to refuse trademark registration under Article 23(1) or a decision to refuse a supplementary registration of designated goods under Article 48(1):

26 

(i) 

the period designated for submitting arguments under Article 23(2) or 48(2);

(ii) 

the period designated for submitting a written answer under Article 27(1); or

(iii) thirty days after the date of the request for a trial against the decision of refusal under Article 70bis. 

Article 16 Material Change of Application

(1) 

An amendment made under Articles 14 or 15 is considered not to cause a material change to an application for trademark registration if the amendment includes any of the following:

(i) 

a limitation of the list of designated goods;

(ii) 

a correction of errors;

(iii) a clarification of ambiguous descriptions; or (iv) the deletion of any auxiliary part of the trademark. 

(2) 

Where an amendment of an application for trademark registration or designated goods has been made before the transmittal of a certified copy of decision to publish on application and is recognized to have caused a material change after the establishment of a trademark right, the trademark application is deemed to have been filed at the time the written amendment is submitted. 

(3) 

Where an amendment of an application for trademark registration or designated goods has been made after the transmittal of a certified copy of the decision to publish an application and is considered to have violated Article 15 after the establishment of a trademark right, the trademark application is deemed to have been established and registered on the trademark application that has not been amended. 

27 

Article 17 Rejection of Amendment

(1) 

Where an amendment made under Article 14 causes a material change to an application, an examiner shall decide to reject the amendment to the application for trademark registration. 

(2) 

An examiner may not grant or refuse the registration of a trademark application if an amendment has been rejected under paragraph (1) of this Article until thirty days after the date on which a certified copy of the decision to reject the amendment has been transmitted. Where a decision to reject an amendment has been made under paragraph (1) of this Article before a decision has been made to publish the application, the examiner may not make a decision to publish the application that is subject to the amendment.

(3)

Where an applicant requests a trial under Article 70ter against a decision to reject an amendment under paragraph (1) of this Article, the examiner shall suspend the examination of the application for trademark registration until the trial decision has become final. 

(4) 

Where an amendment under Article 15 regarding an application for trademark registration materially changes the application, the examiner shall decide to reject the amendment. 

(5) 

The decision to reject an amendment under paragraph (1) or (4) of this Article must be in writing and must state the reasons for the decision. 

(6) 

Except when a trial against a decision of refusal is requested under Article 70bis, a decision to reject an amendment under paragraph (4) may not be appealed.

Article 17bis Submission of Amended Articles of Association

Where the articles of association need to be amended, an applicant for a collective mark can submit the amended articles of association to the Commissioner of the Korean Intellectual Property Office within the period determined under Articles 14(2) or 15 of this Act.

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Article 18 Division of Application for Trademark Registration

(1) 

Where an applicant files an application for trademark registration indicating two or more goods as designated goods, the application may be divided into two or more applications within the period for amendments under Articles 14 and 15. 

(2) 

An application that has been divided under paragraph (1) of this Article (referred to as "a divided application") is deemed to have been filed when the original application was filed, except when Articles 20(3), (4) or 21(2) apply. 

Article 19 Conversion of an Application

(1) 

A person who has filed an application that falls under any of the following subparagraphs may convert the application into another type of application that falls under any of the following subparagraphs:

(i) 

an application for trademark registration;

(ii) 

an application for service mark registration; or

(iii) an application for collective mark registration (excluding an application to register a collective mark for a geographical indication). 

(2) 

A person who has filed an application that falls under either of the following subparagraphs may convert the application into an application for trademark registration; however, this provision does not apply where an invalidation trial or cancellation trial is requested in relation to a registered trademark that served as the basis of an application to register the renewal of the term of a trademark right or an application for additional registration of designated goods, or where the registered trademark is extinguished as a result of an invalidation trial or cancellation trial:

(i) 

an application to register the renewal of the term of a trademark right; or

(ii) 

an application for additional registration of designated goods. 

(3) 

Where a person applies to convert an application under paragraphs (1) and (2) of this Article (referred to as "an application to convert"), the application to convert is deemed 

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to have been filed when the original application was filed in accordance with any

subparagraph of paragraph (1) or (2) of this Article; however, this provision does not apply if Article 20(3), 20(4) or 21(2) applies. 

(4) 

A person may not convert an application under paragraphs (1) and (2) of this Article after a decision or a trial decision on the registration of the original application filed under any subparagraph of paragraph (1) or (2) becomes final. 

(5) 

Where an application is converted, the original application filed under any subparagraph of paragraph (1) or (2) is deemed to have been withdrawn. 

Article 20 Priority Claim under Treaty 

(1)

If a national of a country who is required to recognize a right of priority for an application for trademark registration filed by a national of the Republic of Korea under a treaty or similar instrument (referred to as "a treaty") claims a right of priority for the application for trademark registration in the Republic of Korea based on the earlier application for the trademark registration filed in the national's country or in a country recognized in the treaty, the filing date of the earlier application in the foreign country is deemed under Article 8 of this Act to be the filing date in the Republic of Korea. Where a national of the Republic of Korea files an application for trademark registration in a country that recognizes, under a treaty, the right of priority for applications for trademark registration filed by nationals of the Republic of Korea, and claims the right of priority for an application for trademark registration in the Republic of Korea based on the earlier application for the trademark registration filed in that country, this provision does also apply. 

(2) 

A person claiming the right of priority under paragraph (1) of this Article shall file the application within six months of the filing date of the earlier application that is the basis of the right of priority. 

(3) 

When filing an application for trademark registration, a person claiming the right of priority under paragraph (1) of this Article shall specify on the application the gist of the claim, the name of the country and the filing date of the earlier application. 

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