South Korea shortens trademark opposition period to 30 days

Recently, the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) implemented a new trademark law amendment on July 22, 2025, significantly shortening the trademark objection period to improve the efficiency of trademark examination.

The trademark opposition period is shortened from 2 months to 30 days

• Amendments to South Korea's Trademark Act shorten the opposition period from two months to 30 days after publication . Under the previous system, nearly all trademark applications required the full two-month opposition period, while only approximately 1% actually resulted in an opposition. This not only delayed trademark registration but also reduced the efficiency of obtaining trademark rights for businesses. Notably, trademark application information in South Korea is publicly available from the date of application, meaning third parties have ample time to participate in the review process, allowing for rapid submission of opinions. These changes will expedite the trademark registration process, providing greater convenience and protection for applicants.

The upper limit of punitive damages increased to 5 times

• The revised law also increases the maximum punitive damages for intentional infringement of trademark or design patents to five times the amount awarded. According to KIPO data, the volume of counterfeit goods has doubled in the past five years, necessitating stringent measures to curb the situation. Compared to countries like the United States and Japan, South Korea's punitive damages regime is more aggressive, particularly in the areas of trademarks and designs.

It is recommended that companies fully understand the changes in Korean laws in order to prepare in advance when considering entering or expanding into the Korean market. At the same time, they should actively use legal weapons to carry out their own intellectual property layout, so as to obtain more comprehensive property rights protection and business advantages.