I. Preparation for filing a Patent Application

The following documents are needed:

A. Specification, claims and drawings (if necessary)

B. Information Sheet with the following information:

1. Applicant (name, address, nationality)
2. Inventor (name, address, nationality)
3. Title of the invention, and
4. Priority claim (the country, filing date, application number), if any.

[ In case of PCT, a copy of the cover sheet of International Application published under PCT and/or PCT/IPEA/409 Form if any amendments are made under PCT Article 19 or 34]

C. A certified copy of the priority document and translation thereof must be submitted within 16 months from the priority date. In the case of a PCT application, according to the regulations of the Enforcement Decreee of the Korean Patent Law, a Korean translation of the priority document must be submitted within the due date for submitting a document regarding the filing of the International Patent Application into National stage or in the event the Commissioner of the Korean Industrial Property Office (KIPO) receives a certified copy of the priority document from WIPO for the PCT case, the document should be submitted together with its Korean translation, within 2 months of being informed of the arrival date of the certified copy.

D. A Power of Attorney must be submitted within two months from the filing date.
Regarding the executed Power of Attorney form, any change on the form will result in the document being rejected by KIPO.
Thus, an original, properly executed Power of Attorney without any amendments or corrections should be submitted at the time of filing. Otherwise, the KIPO will issue the notice of the Amendment which allows about a two-month delay.

II. Prosecution of the Patent Application

A. Request for Examination
B. Laying-open of Applications
C. Preferential Examination
D. Amendments
E. Preliminary Rejection Notice
F. Decision for the Patent Grant
G. Options after Receiving Final Rejection
H. Registration Publication and Opposition
I. Types of Trials in Intellectual Tribunal of Korean Industrial Proprty Office
J. Re-examination before Trial
K. Appeal to the Patent Court
L. Duration
M. Registration
N. Appointment of Patent Administrator
O. Documents for transfer of ownership of patent application (or patent)
P. License grant