Korea, North

Trademark registration Korea, North - North Korea is a member of the Madrid Agreement and the Madrid Protocol. Trademark protection is obtained by registration.

Requirements

A trademark application has to be filed before the Department of Trademarks and Industrial Designs by a local agent. A non-legalized power of attorney is sufficient. A document attesting the legal existence of the enterprise (e.g. an extract from the commercial register) is necessary. Foreign applicants do not need a domestic registration.

Procedure

The application process includes a formal examination, an examination of distinctiveness and a search for prior trademarks. It takes approximately 12 months from first filing to registration. After registration, the trademark is published in the Gazette.

Duration

A trademark registration in North Korea is valid for 10 years and starts with registration date. The registration is renewable for periods of 10 years.

Methods

NATIONAL REGISTRATION: If you just want to register your Trademark in one country, it is sufficient to apply for a national registration at the local trademark office.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTRATION (MADRID SYSTEM)*: If you already have filed a trademark application or have a trademark registration in one or more countries of the Madrid Union (based on the Madrid Agreement and Madrid Protocol), you can obtain trademark protection by filing one single application, so called International Registration (Madrid System).

*Note: The fees for an International Trademark Application (WIPO) will be calculated for each individual country or multiple countries. For a quotation please send us an e-mail with the name of countries where you currently have a registration and all preferable countries where you wish to extend your trademark protection.

Extra

Duly note, if the trademark has not been used within 5 years from issue of the registration certificate or has not been used later for a continuous period of 5 years, it may be subject to cancellation.