South Korea's patent system: the way to apply for patents for inventions and utility models in South Korea and the required documents

After applying in China, those who file a patent application with the Korean Industrial Property Office from the first prior patent application date (i.e. the priority date) and before the expiration of 12 months can enjoy the priority treatment and need to submit the priority certificate.

Documents and materials required for application:

1) Application documents: including specification, claims, drawings of specification, abstract and abstract drawings;

2) Application information: Chinese and English names, addresses and postal codes of the applicant and inventor, country of application, contact person, etc.

3) Where priority is claimed, the acceptance notice of the earlier application and the priority certificate of the earlier application are also required (the priority certificate can be submitted at the same time as the application or within 16 months from the priority date). 1) Original application documents and PCT request or published PCT application brochure;

2) International search report;

3) Claims amended according to Article 19 of the Patent Cooperation Treaty (if any);

4) International preliminary examination report and application documents modified according to Article 34 of the Patent Cooperation Treaty (if any).

Applicants generally need to apply to the KIPO Bureau 2-3 months in advance, and entrust an agency to start translation and document preparation.