South KoreaKIPOLaunching a brand in Korea? File before a squatter claims your name — and your Hangul.
South Korea is first-to-file, with no prior-use defence for an unregistered foreign mark. A KPAA-registered Byeonrisa* (변리사 — Korean Patent Attorney) files yours directly with the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) — full Korean-language drafting, with similar-group and Hangul strategy built in.
- Korea is first-to-file — filing now locks your priority date
- KPAA-registered Byeonrisa included (required for foreign applicants)
- Hangul defensive filing + similar-group strategy built in
From $400.00 GTC service fee + ₩62,000 KIPO, first class — itemised before you pay.
What you get
Everything a Korean trademark gives you — and everything we handle
A KIPO registration gives you exclusive rights to your brand name, logo, or slogan across the Republic of Korea for the goods and services you sell. Because Korea is first-to-file with no prior-use defence for an unregistered foreign mark, a later applicant — or a squatter — can register your name first and box you out of your own market.
Your rights once it’s registered
- Exclusive use of your mark across the Republic of Korea, for the registered Nice classes and similar-group codes.
- The legal right to use the registered ® symbol on your brand in South Korea.
- A statutory presumption of validity and the right to sue infringers in the Seoul Central District Court.
- A basis for Korea Customs Service recordation, so customs can detain counterfeits at every Korean port and airport.
- A basing application to extend protection across Asia and beyond through the Madrid System (Korea, a member since 2003).
- A defensive Hangul (한글) registration that stops a third party transliterating your name against you.
What’s included when you file with GTC
Foreign applicants without a Korean address must appoint a Korea-resident agent — your Byeonrisa handles every Korean-language communication with KIPO for you.
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KIPO clearance search — Latin + Hangul + similar-group
A KIPO database search across the 45 Nice classes, the Hangul transliteration, and KIPO's national similar-group codes — with a Byeonrisa's read on your odds under the Korean Trademark Act.
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Drafted to clear, in Korean
Your goods and services drafted and mapped to both Nice classes and KIPO similar-group codes to maximise enforceable scope, then filed in Korean via the Byeonrisa's KIPOnet portal.
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Hangul defensive-filing strategy
Your Byeonrisa screens Hangul candidates against existing KIPO registrations and common Korean readings, so a chosen Hangul mark is commercially usable — filed in parallel as its own application.
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Notice of Reason for Refusal handled
A pre-action Notice-of-Reason-for-Refusal response is included — arguing distinctiveness or refining the specification; substantive Article 33/34 refusals quoted upfront before any work§.
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A year of aftercare
One year of post-registration Byeonrisa representation, included — plus live monitoring of the 2-month pre-grant opposition window after publication in the KIPO Gazette.
Want ongoing protection after you file? Add Trademark Monitoring and get alerted the moment someone tries to register a similar mark in Korea.
Compare your options
File direct at KIPO, or extend via Madrid?
You can reach Korea two ways: a direct national filing through a Byeonrisa, or a Madrid Protocol designation routed off your home registration. KIPO charges the same fee either way — what differs is the Korean-language drafting, the similar-group and Hangul strategy, and how exposed you are if your home mark is challenged.
When a Madrid designation can be the better call
- You're filing in several countries at once and Korea is one of many — a single Madrid application can be more efficient to administer.
- You already hold a solid home registration and want a lighter-touch presence in Korea rather than a fully optimised national filing.
Your Byeonrisa reviews the KIPO and similar-group landscape first and tells you, plainly, which route gives your brand the strongest protection in Korea — before you commit. We handle either path.
How much
Transparent pricing, fair because we work efficiently
We run Korean filings on one online platform with a Byeonrisa on the file, so the work stays efficient and the price stays fair — a flat service fee, KIPO’s fees at cost, and every cost shown before you pay.
What makes up your price
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$400.00 / first classGTC service fee$400.00 first class, $400.00 each additional — KIPO clearance, similar-group strategy, Korean-language power of attorney, Hangul advice, Byeonrisa filing, and standard prosecution to registration.
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≈₩62,000 / classKIPO application feePaid to KIPO at filing on an electronic application using its prescribed picklist (higher for a custom specification). Government fees are non-refundable, even if your application is refused.
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≈₩211,000 / classKIPO registration feeDue to KIPO after your mark is allowed, to issue the 10-year registration. A 5-year split-payment option is available.
A defensive Hangul filing is a separate mark with its own service and KIPO fees — strongly recommended, and quoted alongside your Latin-character application. Substantive Article 33/34 refusals and pre-grant opposition defence are quoted upfront before any work§ — never a surprise.
KIPO government fees are set in Korean won, split into an application fee at filing and a registration fee due after allowance, and are subject to scheduled adjustments — we quote the exact amount on the day of filing.
What it costs to keep it
A Korean registration lasts 10 years from the registration date and renews indefinitely in 10-year terms. The mark must be put to genuine use in Korea within any 3 consecutive years, or it becomes vulnerable to a non-use cancellation under Article 119. We track every deadline for the life of your portfolio so nothing lapses by accident.
How long
From search to registered at KIPO — and beyond
Most Korean marks register in roughly 12 to 16 months end to end. Filing is fast — and it’s what locks your priority date in this first-to-file system. The long wait is KIPO’s substantive examination, which fast-track can shorten. Here’s the honest timeline.
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Before you pay
Free clearance search
A Byeonrisa runs a KIPO search across Latin characters, your Hangul transliteration, and similar-group codes, and tells you — plainly — whether to file, refine, or pivot.
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~1–2 weeks
We prepare and file
Your Byeonrisa drafts the goods and services in Korean, maps them to Nice classes and KIPO similar-groups, prepares the Korean-language power of attorney, and files via KIPOnet — locking your priority date.
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~10–14 months (or fast-track)
Substantive examination
KIPO examines distinctiveness (Article 33) and conflicts (Article 34). Standard examination runs ~10–14 months; KIPO's fast-track examination can cut this to a few months where you qualify (e.g. the mark is already in use). Any Notice of Reason for Refusal carries a strict response deadline your Byeonrisa manages.
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2 months
Publication & pre-grant opposition
Your mark is published in the KIPO Gazette and any third party can oppose during a 2-month PRE-grant window. Your Byeonrisa watches the window and advises if anyone files.
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After allowance
Pay the registration fee — then it grants
Once allowed, the KIPO registration fee falls due — payable in one 10-year payment or as a 5-year instalment. On payment, KIPO issues your registration and you can use the ® symbol in Korea.
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Year 3, then every 10
Genuine use & renewal
Put the mark to genuine use within any 3 consecutive years to keep it safe from a non-use cancellation, then renew every 10 years. We track both deadlines for the life of your portfolio.
How it works
Three steps. One Byeonrisa. Zero guesswork.
Free Byeonrisa-led clearance search
Tell us your brand name and the goods or services you sell. A KPAA-registered Byeonrisa searches KIPO across Latin characters, your Hangul transliteration, and similar-group codes, and tells you — in plain English — whether to file, refine, or pivot. No charge, no obligation.
We prepare and file with KIPO
Your Byeonrisa drafts the goods and services in Korean, maps them to Nice and KIPO similar-group codes, prepares the Korean-language power of attorney, and files directly via the KIPOnet portal as your agent of record — so foreign applicants are fully represented from day one.
We watch examination through to registration
Substantive examination, any Notice of Reason for Refusal, the 2-month pre-grant opposition window, the registration-fee payment, and final grant — your Byeonrisa monitors every step and responds to standard notices. You're notified at each milestone.
Why GTC
An online-first law firm built for Korean brand protection
We pair a KPAA-registered Byeonrisa with one easy platform, so filing at KIPO is transparent, well-run, and handled by people who know your file.
One platform, online-first
Start, pay, and track your Korean filing in one place. Real-time status, KIPO correspondence, the registration-fee deadline, and the opposition window are watched for you — no chasing KIPOnet yourself.
Korean-language depth, not a form
KIPO is a Korean-language office. Your Byeonrisa drafts in Korean, maps goods to similar-group codes, and screens a usable Hangul transliteration — the judgement a translation tool or a self-filing can't give you.
A dedicated team that owns your matter
A dedicated account team that learns your business and stays with you from first search to certificate — and handles Japan, China, Madrid extensions, and 100+ jurisdictions as you grow.
Attorney-led, fairly priced
A KPAA-registered Byeonrisa is your agent of record before KIPO. Because we run filings efficiently, the fee stays flat and fair — and KIPO's government fees are passed through at cost.
Your Customer Success Team
A real team that owns your matter — not a ticket queue.
Every GTC client gets a dedicated Account Manager and a Senior Account Manager who learn your business and stay with you from first email to final filing — real people who pick up the phone, so you never re-explain your brand or chase a queue.
Your Account Manager
Your day-to-day point of contact — coordinates every matter, keeps things moving, and already knows your file. No intake form, no re-explaining.
Your Senior Account Manager
Senior oversight on strategy and escalations, stepping in as your needs grow — so nothing important slips through the cracks.
A real person, on email or a call — at every step.
The proof
Real work, real clients, real reviews
7,500+
Trademarks filed
10,000+
Clients served
107
Trademark jurisdictions
11
In-house attorneys
“I've had the pleasure of working with Rajat for many years. He has expertly guided me through the process of registering my company in the USA, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, and more. His deep knowledge of trademark law across jurisdictions is impressive.”
“We had various US trademarks to submit, and the team at Modi & Zaidi handled the entire process. They are friendly, knowledgeable and punctual. We will definitely use their services again.”
“Working with Maryam & the team of Rajat Modi has been an exceptional experience. Her professionalism, knowledge, and commitment to my case have been evident throughout the process.”
“I am a regular customer of GTC. They have done more than 15 Multi-Countries Trademarks for me so far. Their service quality and turnaround time is exceptional.”
“I had infringed on the copyright of a big brand, which threatened to lose my business. However, thanks to the professional work of this team, we signed the best possible contract and saved the business.”
“Global Trademark Company is the best in the business and I've used them for a number of my applications. Highly recommended for anyone looking for reliable trademark services.”
Questions, answered straight
Frequently asked questions
Attorney advertising. The information on this page is for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Use of this site does not create an attorney–client relationship. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
- * Byeonrisa representation.
- Every South Korea trademark application filed through GTC is filed by a KPAA-registered Byeonrisa (Korean Patent Attorney) who is the agent of record before KIPO. Foreign applicants without an address or registered office in Korea are required by KIPO rule to appoint a Korea-resident agent.
- † KIPO fees.
- KIPO charges a per-class application fee on electronic filings using its prescribed picklist (about ₩62,000 per class; higher for a custom specification), plus a separate per-class registration fee due after allowance (about ₩211,000 per class), payable in one 10-year payment or as a 5-year instalment. KIPO government fees are set in Korean won, subject to KIPO-scheduled adjustments, and passed through at cost. Government fees are non-refundable, even if your application is refused. Refund treatment across every service we offer is governed by our Refund & Credit Policy.
- § Procedural notices.
- Standard non-substantive procedural notices (clarifications to the specification, similar-group fixes, formalities) are included in the new-filing service fee. Substantive refusals under Articles 33 or 34 of the Korean Trademark Act, and pre-grant opposition defence, are quoted upfront before any work begins. See scope of work for the full breakdown.
- ‡ Refusal statistics.
- The most common KIPO objections are likelihood of confusion with a prior mark under Article 34(1)(vii), lack of distinctiveness under Article 33(1), well-known/famous-mark conflicts under Article 34(1)(ix)/(xi), and public-policy or prohibited-sign grounds under Article 34(1)(i)–(iv). Figures cited on this page are indicative of the relative frequency of KIPO objection grounds, not a guarantee for any individual application; a pre-filing KIPO and similar-group clearance search is the most reliable way to design around them.
© 2026 Global Trademark Company LLC. All rights reserved.
Talk to a South Korea trademark attorney
Ready when you are.
Book a free 30-minute consult with a KPAA-registered Byeonrisa. We'll review your brand, run a KIPO and similar-group clearance search, advise on a defensive Hangul filing, and map your fastest route to a registered Korean trademark — locking your priority date in a first-to-file system. No sales pitch, no obligation.
