ENFORCEMENT DECREE OF THE PATENT ACT  
 
Amended by Presidential Decree No. 13744,Oct. 27,1992  
Presidential Decree No. 13870,Mar. 6,1993  
Presidential Decree No. 14059,Dec. 31,1993  
Presidential Decree No. 15009,Jun. 3,1996  
Presidential Decree No. 15408,Jun. 26,1997  
Presidential Decree No. 16417,Jun. 30,1999  
Presidential Decree No. 16725,Feb. 28,2000  
Presidential Decree No. 16852,Jun. 23,2000  
Presidential Decree No. 17246,Jun. 27,2001  
Presidential Decree No. 17995,Jun. 13,2003  
Presidential Decree No. 18312,Mar. 17,2004  
Presidential Decree No. 18694,Jan. 31,2005  
Presidential Decree No. 19513,Jun. 12,2006  
Presidential Decree No. 19697,Sep. 28,2006  
Presidential Decree No. 20127,Jun. 28,2007  
Presidential Decree No. 20137,Jun. 29,2007  
Presidential Decree No. 20729,Jun. 29,2008  
Presidential Decree No. 21053,Sep. 30,2008  
Presidential Decree No. 21567,Jun. 26,2009  
Presidential Decree No. 21917,Dec. 30,2009  
Presidential Decree No.22674, Feb. 22, 2011  
Presidential Decree No. 23341, Dec. 2, 2011  
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Page 3 
 
CHAPTER ⅠGENERAL PROVISIONS AND PATENT APPLICATION  
Article 1 (Purpose)  
The purpose of this Decree is to provide for matters delegated by the Patent Act and those 
necessary for its enforcement. <Amended by Presidential Decree No. 18694, Jan. 31, 2005>  
[This Article Wholly Amended by Presidential Decree No. 17246, Jun. 27, 2001]  
 
Article 1-2 (Scope of Telecommunication Lines)  
"Telecommunication lines prescribed by Presidential Decree" in Article 29 (1) 2 of the Patent Act 
(hereinafter referred to as the "Act") and subparagraph 2 of Article 129 of the Act means the 
telecommunication lines operated by persons falling under any of the following subparagraphs:  
1. The Government, local governments, the governments or local governments of foreign countries, 
or international organizations;  
2. National and public schools provided for in Article 3 of the Higher Education Act or national and 
public universities of foreign countries;  
3. Domestic and foreign national and public research institutions;  
4. Corporations incorporated to run the patent information business which are designated and 
publicly announced by the Commissioner of the Korean Intellectual Property Office.  
[This Article Wholly Amended by Presidential Decree No. 19697, Sep. 28, 2006]  
Article 2 (Deposit of Micro-Organisms)  
(1) Any person who desires to make a patent application for an invention related to a micro-organism, 
shall deposit such micro-organism with a depository authority determined by the Commissioner of 
the Korean Intellectual Property Office or an institution which has acquired a status as an 
international depository authority under Article 7 of the Budapest Treaty on the International 
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Page 4Recognition of the Deposit of Micro-Organisms for the Purposes of Patent Procedure (hereinafter 
referred to as "international depository authority"), and attach documents certifying the fact (in cases 
of deposit with the international depository authority, a copy of the latest receipt of deposit under 
Article 7 of the Budapest Treaty on the International Recognition of the Deposit of Micro-Organisms 
for the Purposes of Patent Procedure) to the patent application: Provided, That if a person who has 
ordinary knowledge in the field of technology to which the invention belongs, can easily obtain such 
micro-organism, it needs not to be required to deposit such micro-organism. <Amended by Presidential 
Decree No. 18694, Jan. 31, 2005>  
(2) When a new deposit number is issued to the micro-organism deposited under paragraph (1) after a 
patent application is filed, a patent applicant or a patentee shall report such fact to the 
Commissioner of the Korean Intellectual Property Office without delay. <Amended by Presidential 
Decree No. 14059, Dec. 31, 1993>  
Article 3 (Matters to be Entered in Patent Specifications of Invention related to Micro-Organism)  
Any person who intends to file a patent application for an invention related to a micro-organism shall 
enter in the specifications prescribed in Article 42 (2) of the Act, the deposit number issued by the 
depository authority or the international depository authority where he/she has deposited the micro-
organism pursuant to the main sentence of Article 2 (1), and the method of acquisition of the micro-
organism when he/she did not deposit it pursuant to the proviso to Article 2 (1).  
[This Article Wholly Amended by Presidential Decree No. 21567, Jun. 26, 2009]  
Article 4 (Apportionment of Samples of Micro-Organism)  
(1) A person who intends to practice an invention related to a micro- organism deposited under Article 2 
for the purpose of a test or research, may have samples of such micro-organism apportioned by a 
depository authority or international depository authority, in any of the following cases: <Amended by 
Presidential Decree No. 15408, Jun. 26, 1997; Presidential Decree No. 17995, Jun. 13, 2003; Presidential 
Decree No. 20127, Jun. 28, 2007; Presidential Decree No. 21567, Jun. 26, 2009>  
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Page 51. Where a patent application for the invention related to the micro- organism is published or its 
registration of establishment is filed;  
2. Where it is required to prepare a written opinion prescribed in Article 63 (1) of the Act (including 
cases where Article 170 (2) of the Act is applicable mutatis mutandis).  
(2) No person who has samples of a micro-organism apportioned under paragraph (1), shall allow 
another person to use the micro-organism.  
Article 5 (How to Enter Scope of Patent Claim)  
(1) When claims (hereinafter referred to as "claims") within the scope of claims provided for in Article 42 
(8) of the Act are entered, an independent claim (hereinafter referred to as "independent claim") 
shall be entered, and a dependent claim (hereinafter referred to as "dependent claim") that is 
embodied by limiting or adding to the dependent claim may be entered. In such cases, if deemed 
necessary, another dependent claim that is embodied by limiting or adding to the dependent claim 
may be entered. <Amended by Presidential Decree No. 19697, Sep. 28, 2006; Presidential Decree No. 
20127, Jun. 28, 2007>  
(2) The claims shall be entered in a proper number according to the nature of the invention. <Amended 
by Presidential Decree No. 17995, Jun. 13, 2003>  
(3) Deleted. <by Presidential Decree No. 16417, Jun. 30, 1999>  
(4) When a dependent claim is entered, one or more paragraphs from independent claims or other 
dependent claims shall be quoted and the number of paragraphs quoted shall be entered. <Amended 
by Presidential Decree No. 16417, Jun. 30, 1999>  
(5) A claim that quotes not less than two claims shall mention alter- natively the numbers of the quoted 
claims. <Amended by Presidential Decree No. 17995, Jun. 13, 2003>  
(6) In a claim that quotes not less than two claims, the quoted claim shall not re-quote two or more other 
claims. The same shall apply to the formula by which in a claim that quotes not less than two claims, 
the quoted claim quotes one claim, resulting in re-quoting not less than two claims after quoting one 
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Page 6claim. <Amended by Presidential Decree No. 19697, Sep. 28, 2006>  
(7) The quoted claim shall be entered ahead of the claim that quotes other claim. <Amended by 
Presidential Decree No. 17995, Jun. 13, 2003>  
(8) Each claim shall be entered on a new line, and serial numbers in the Arabic figure shall be given in 
the order of the entries.  
Article 6 (Requirements for Single Patent Application for Group of Inventions)  
A single patent application for a group of inventions as prescribed in the proviso to Article 45 (1) of 
the Act shall meet the following require- ments:  
1.The inventions described in the application shall have mutual relationship in adopted technology;  
2.The inventions described in the application shall have the same or corresponding technological 
features. In such cases, the technological features shall be those improved in light of invention at 
large.  
[This Article Wholly Amended by Presidential Decree No. 17995, Jun. 13, 2003]  
Article 7 (Invention subject to Application to Register Extension of Term of Patent Right by Permit, etc.)  
"Invention prescribed by Presidential Decree" in Article 89 (1) of the Act means any of the following 
inventions: <Amended by Presidential Decree No. 15009, Jun. 3, 1996; Presidential Decree No. 16852, Jun. 
23, 2000; Presidential Decree No. 18694, Jan. 31, 2005; Presidential Decree No. 20127, Jun. 28, 2007; 
Presidential Decree No. 21053, Sep. 30, 2008; Presidential Decree No. 23341, Dec. 2, 2011>  
1. Invention of medicines subject to the item license under Article 31 (2) or (3) or 42 (1) of the 
Pharmaceutical Affairs Act to work the patented invention;  
2. Invention of agricultural chemicals or raw materials thereof which are to be registered under 
Articles 8 (1), 16 (1) and 17 (1) of the Agrochemicals Control Act to work the patented invention.  
Article 7-2 (Period Delayed Due to Applicants)  
(1) "The period delayed due to an applicant" prescribed in Article 92-2 (3) of the Act means any of the 
following periods:  
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Page 71. Any of the following periods in relation to ongoing procedures concerning a patent in the Korean 
Intellectual Property Office or the Intellectual Property Tribunal:  
(a) In cases where the Commissioner of the Korean Intellectual Property Office or the presiding 
administrative patent judge orders a representative to follow procedures concerning a patent 
or orders the replacement of a representative under Article 10 of the Act, the period from the 
date when such order is given until the date when a representative is appointed or replaced;  
(b) In cases where the period of request for trial or a period for a patent-related procedures, upon 
request from applicants, is extended pursuant to Article 15 (1) or (2) of the Act, the extended 
period (when the period for a patent-related procedures is reduced, upon request from 
applicants under Article 15 (2) of the Act, after such period is extended, the period reduced 
shall be excluded);  
(c) In cases where a date for initiating patent-related procedures under Article 15 (3) of the Act is 
fixed and then such date is delayed, upon request from applicants, the period from the day 
after the fixed date until the changed one;  
(d) In cases where procedures concerning a patent are supplemented later after a cause not 
imputable to a person who initiated a patent-related procedure ceases to exist under the main 
sentence of Article 17 of the Act, the period from the date when such cause ceases to exist 
until the date when such procedures are supplemented;  
(e) In cases where procedures concerning a patent are suspended or stopped pursuant to Articles 
20, 23 (2), 78 (1) or 164 (1) of the Act, the period during which such procedures concerning a 
patent are suspended or stopped;  
(f) In cases where the Commissioner of the Korean Intellectual Property Office orders applicants 
to report the results of the consultation within a designated period pursuant to Article 36 (6) of 
the Act, such period (when a period is reduced, upon request from applicants, pursuant to 
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Page 8Article 15 (2) of the Act, the reduced period shall be excluded);  
(g) In cases where a specification is amended so as to state the claims within the period under 
Article 42 (5) 2 in accordance with the latter part of main sentence of Article 42 (5) of the Act, 
the period from the date when the intent of the request for the examination of application is 
notified until the date when such specification is amended  
(h) In cases where the Commissioner of the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the President of 
the Intellectual Property Tribunal or the presiding administrative patent judge orders 
amendment, fixing a period, pursuant to Articles 46, 141 (1) or 203 (2) of the Act, such period 
(when a period is reduced, upon request from applicants, pursuant to Article 15 (2) of the Act, 
the reduced period shall be excluded);  
(i) In cases where a claim for a priority right is withdrawn or deemed withdrawn pursuant to Article 
56 of the Act, with respect to an earlier application which has become the basis of a claim for 
a priority right under Article 55 (1) of the Act, the period from the date when a claim for a 
priority right concerning the relevant earlier application is made until the date when such claim 
for priority right is withdrawn or deemed withdrawn;  
(j) In cases where the determination of an accelerated examination pursuant to Article 10 of the 
Act is delayed due to an applicant, with respect to an accelerated examination under Article 
61 of the Act, the delayed period;  
(k) In cases where an examiner (referring to an examiner under Article 143 of the Act, when the 
provisions of Article 63 of the Act are applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 170 of the 
Act; herein after the same shall apply in this item) notifies an applicant of the grounds for 
rejection of a patent application and provides the applicant an opportunity to present his/her 
written opinions within a fixed period pursuant to the main sentence of Article 63 (1) of the Act 
[Provided, That this shall not apply to cases where an examiner notifies an applicant of 
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Page 9grounds for rejection and renders a decision to grant a patent (including cases where the 
provisions of Article 66 of the Act are applied mutatis mutandis under Article 170 of the Act 
and a decision is made to grant a patent) pursuant to Article 66 of the Act without making 
amendment to drawings or specifications concerning notification of grounds for rejection], the 
period (when the period for submission of written opinions is reduced, upon request from 
applicants pursuant to Article 15 (2) of the Act, the reduced period shall be excluded);  
(l) In cases where an applicant pays patent fees (including cases where he/she pays additional 
patent fees under Article 81 (1) of the Act, he/she pays the remaining portion of the patent 
fees under Article 81-2 (2) of the Act, or he/she pays the patent fees or the remaining portion 
thereof under Article 81-3 (1) of the Act) pursuant to Article 79 (1) of the Act or is exempt from 
patent fees by submitting documents prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Knowledge 
Economy to the Commissioner of the Korean Intellectual Property Office pursuant to Article 83 
(3) of the Act after he/she receives a certified copy of a decision on a patent application under 
Article 67 (2) of the Act, the period from the date when he/she receives such copy until the 
date when the establishment of a patent right is registered pursuant to Article 87 of the Act;  
(m) In cases where a re-examination is requested under the main sentence of Article 67-2 (1) of 
the Act, the period from the date when a certified copy on rejection of a patent applicatio n 
under Article 67 (2) of the Act is delivered until the date when a re-examination is requested;  
(n) In cases where a request for exclusion or challenge under Article 149 or 150 of the Act is not 
accepted in accordance with a decision made pursuant to Article 152 (1) of the Act, the period 
during which trial proceedings are suspended under the main sentence of Article 153 of the 
Act; 
(o) In cases where it is deemed that the examination or preservation of evidence is unnecessary, 
upon request from applicants for such examination or preservation pursuant to Article 157 of 
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Page 10the Act, the period from the date when such request is made until the date when it is deemed 
that such examination or preservation is unnecessary.  
(p) In cases where an examination is resumed, upon request from applicants, after notification of 
the closure of the trial examination pursuant to Article 162 (4) of the Act, the period from the 
date when such examination is resumed until the date when the closure of the trial 
examination is notified again pursuant to Article 162 (3) of the Act;  
(q) In cases where any one requests a retrial under Article 178 of the Act after he/she becomes 
aware of grounds for retrial, the period from the date when he/she becomes aware of such 
grounds until the date when a retrial is requested;  
(r) In cases where the presiding administrative patent judge determines an additional period 
pursuant to Article 186 (5) of the Act, the relevant period;  
(s) In cases where service of documents or service by public announcement under Article 218 or 
219 of the Act is delayed due to an applicant (including cases where such service is delayed 
because a person to be served changes his/her place to be served under Article 18 (10) and 
fails to report it to the Commissioner of the Korean Intellectual Property Office), the period 
during which such service is delayed.  
2. Any of the following periods in litigation procedures concerning a trial decision, ruling or judgment 
under Article 186 (1) or (8);  
(a) In cases where litigation procedures are suspended pursuant to Article 78 (2) or 164 (2) of the 
Act, the period during which the procedures are suspended;  
(b) In cases where a request for exclusion or challenge concerning a judge (including a technical 
examiner applied mutatis mutanis under Article 188-2 (1) of the Act and a court clerical official 
of Grade Ⅴ applied mutatis mutanis under Article 50 of the Civil Procedure Act) under Articles 
41 through 43 of the Civil Procedure Act is not accepted in accordance with a decision under 
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Page 11Article 45 or 46 of the Civil Procedure Act, the period from the date when such request for 
exclusion or challenge is made until the date when a decision to reject such request is made 
or the period during which litigation procedures are suspended under the main sentence of 
Article 48 of the Civil Procedure Act;  
(c) In cases where the court or the presiding judge orders correction, fixing a period, pursuant to 
Article 59 or 254 (1) of the Civil Procedure Act, the relevant period;  
(d) In cases where a special representative is appointed pursuant to Article 62 of the Civil 
Procedure Act, the period from the date when such appointment is requested until the date 
when a special representative is appointed;  
(e) In cases where a pleading is resumed under Article 142 of the Civil Procedure Act due to an 
applicant, the period from the date when the resumption of a pleading is ordered until the date 
when the relevant pleading is completed;  
(f) In cases where the court prohibits an applicant or representative from making a statement and 
sets a new date for continuing pleadings under Article 144 (1) of the Civil Procedure Act, the 
period from the date when such applicant, etc. is prohibited from making a statement until the 
new date;  
(g) In cases where the court orders the appointment of a lawyer pursuant to Article 144 (2) of the 
Civil Procedure Act, the period from the date when such order is given until the date when a 
layer is appointed;  
(h) In cases where a date designated by the presiding judge pursuant to Article 165 (1) of the Civil 
Procedure Act is delayed due to remark able grounds, such as the request of an applicant, the 
period from the day after a designated date until the changed date;  
(i) In cases where the court extends a statutory period or a period fixed by the court, upon request 
from an applicant, under Article 172 of the Civil Procedure Act or fixes an additional period, 
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Page 12with regard to the invariable period, such extended period or additional period;  
(j) In cases where any cause not attributable to a party is extinguished and procedural acts are 
subsequently completed under Article 173 of the Civil Procedure Act, the period from the date 
when such cause is extinguished until the date when procedural acts are subsequently 
completed;  
(k) In cases where the delivery of documents or service by public notice under Article 178, 186 
through 188 or 194 of the Civil Procedure Act is delayed due to an applicant, the period during 
which such delivery is delayed;  
(l) In cases where litigation procedures are suspended pursuant to Articles 233 through 237, 239, 
240 or 246 of the Civil Procedure Act, the period during which litigation procedures are 
suspended;  
(m) In cases where an applicant has failed to appear on the date for pleading, or failed to plead 
even if he/she has appeared and the presiding judge fixes another date for pleading pursuant 
to Article 268 (1) of the Civil Procedure Act, the period from the day after the date for pleading 
until the newly fixed date;  
(n) In cases where evidence is deemed unnecessary, with respect to an application for the 
examination of evidence pursuant to Article 289 of the Civil Procedure Act, the period from the 
date when such application is filed until the date when evidence is deemed unnecessary;  
(o) In cases where a petition for a retrial under Article 451 of the Civil Procedure Act is filed after 
the relevant party becomes aware of grounds for a retrial, the period from the date when 
he/she becomes aware of such grounds until a petition for a retrial is filed.  
3. Any of the following periods in procedures for administrative appeal or administrative litigation 
concerning objection to a ruling under Article 224-2 (2) of the Act;  
(a) In cases where a request for exclusion or challenge under Article 10 of the Administrative 
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Page 13Appeals Act is rejected or dismissed in accordance with a decision under Article 12 of the 
Enforcement Decree of the Act, the period during which administrative procedures are 
suspended pursuant to Article 13 of the Decree;  
(b) In cases where an administrative appeal is filed after force majeure, such as natural disasters, 
wars or incidents, is extinguished under Article 27 (2) of the Administrative Appeals Act, the 
period from the date when such grounds are extinguished until the date when an 
administrative appeal is filed;  
(c) In cases where the Central Administrative Appeals Commission (hereinafter referred to as the 
"Committee") requests correction by fixing a period under the main sentence of Article 32 (1) 
of the Administrative Appeals Act, the relevant period;  
(d) In cases where the Committee fixes a deadline for written supplement pursuant to Article 33 (2) 
of the Administrative Appeals Act, the period from the date when such deadline is fixed until 
the date when a written supplement is submitted;  
(e) In cases where a date for deliberation designated by the Committee under Article 38 of the 
Administrative Appeals Act is delayed, upon request from applicants, the period from the day 
following the designated date for deliberation until the changed date for deliberation;  
(f) In cases where the provisions of the Civil Procedure Act concerning delivery are applied 
mutatis mutandis under Article 57 of the Administrative Appeals Act, the period falling under 
subparagraph 2 (k);  
(g) In cases where the provisions of the Civil Procedure Act are applied mutatis mutandis under 
Article 8 (2) of the Administrative Appeals Act, the period falling under any of the items of 
subparagraph 2.  
4. Periods delayed due to an applicant in relation to ongoing procedures concerning a patent in the 
Korean Intellectual Property Office or the Intellectual Property Tribunal, litigation procedures 
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Page 14concerning a trial decision, ruling or judgment under Article 186 (1) or (8) of the Act or 
procedures for administrative appeal or administrative litigation concerning objection to a ruling 
under Article 224-2 (2) of the Act, which are prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of 
Knowledge Economy.  
(2) In cases where there exists an objective ground which is not attributable to an applicant, among 
grounds for delaying registration of establishment of a patent right under Article 92-2 (1) of the Act, 
the relevant period shall be excluded from a period under paragraph (1), notwith standing the 
provisions of paragraph (1).  
[This Article Newly Inserted by Presidential Decree No. 23341, Dec. 2, 2011]   
 
CHAPTER Ⅱ EXAMINATION AND TRIAL  
Article 8 (Qualification for Examiners, etc.)  
(1) A person eligible to become an examiner shall be a public official under any of the following 
subparagraphs of the Korean IntellectualProperty Office or its affiliated agencies, who has 
completed the prescribed education and training course for examiners conducted by the 
International Intellectual Property Training Institute: <Amended by Presidential Decree No. 21917, Dec. 
30, 2009>  
1. A public official of Grade Ⅴ or higher in general service;  
2. A public official in general service who belongs to the Senior Civil Service;  
3. A specialized contract-based public official who satisfies the qualification criteria of Grade A or B 
pursuant to attached Table 1 of the Contract-based Public Officials Regulations.  
(2) A person eligible to become an administrative patent judge shall be any State public official of Grade 
Ⅳ or higher in general service or a public official in general service who belongs to the Senior Civil 
Service assigned to the administrative post of the Korean Intellectual Property Office or its affiliated 
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Page 15agencies, who has completed the prescribed education and training course for administrative patent 
judges conducted by the International Intellectual Property Training Institute and who falls under any 
of the following subparagraphs: <Amended by Presidential Decree No. 16417, Jun. 30, 1999; Presidential 
Decree No. 18694, Jan. 31, 2005; Presidential Decree No. 19513, Jun. 12, 2006; Presidential Decree No. 
19697, Sep. 28, 2006>  
1. A person who has served as an examiner at the Korean Intellectual Property Office for two or 
more years;  
2. Deleted; <by Presidential Decree No. 19697, Sep. 28, 2006>  
3. A person whose total term of office is not less than two years having served as an examiner at 
the Korean Intellectual Property Office, having been engaged in affairs of trial as a State public 
official of Grade Ⅴ or higher in general service or a public official in general service who belongs 
to the Senior Civil Service at the Intellectual Property Tribunal and having served as a technical 
examiner in the Patent Court.  
(3) A person eligible to become a presiding administrative patent judge shall be a State public official of 
Grade Ⅲ in general service or a public official in general service who belongs to the Senior Civil 
Service of the Korean Intellectual Property Office or its affiliated agencies, who falls under any of the 
following subparagraphs: Provided, That a presiding administrative patent judge, the position of 
which is open to the private sector pursuant to Article 28-4 (1) of the State Public Officials Act or the 
position of which is publically offered pursuant toArticle 28-5 (1) of the same Act, shall be appointed 
from among persons who meet the requirements for performing duties under paragraph (2) of the 
same Article or fall under any of the following subparagraphs: <Amended by Presidential Decree No. 
16725, Feb. 28, 2000; Presidential Decree No. 18694, Jan. 31, 2005; Presidential Decree No. 19513, Jun. 12, 
2006; Presidential Decree No. 19697, Sep. 28, 2006>  
1. A person who has served as an administrative patent judge at the Intellectual Property Tribunal 
for two or more years;  
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Page 162. A person who is qualified as an administrative patent judge provided for in paragraph (2) and has 
worked for the Korean Intellectual Property Office or its affiliated agencies for not less than three 
years while rendering clerical services for examination or a trial .  
(4) Any person eligible to become the President of the Intellectual Property Tribunal shall be a person 
qualified as an administrative patent judge.  
(5) Notwithstanding paragraphs (1) through (4), any person who is a public official falling under the 
grade of position (including any public official in the general service who belongs to the Senior Civil 
Service and any specialized contract-based public official under paragraph (1) 3) as an examiner, 
administrative patent judge, presiding administrative patent judge or President of the Intellectual 
Property Tribunal as referred to in paragraphs (1) through(4), and is qualified for a patent attorney, 
may be appointed as an examiner, administrative patent judge, presiding administrative patent 
judge or President of the Intellectual Property Tribunal: Provided, That a specialized contract-based 
public official referred to in paragraph (1) 3 shall only be eligible to become an examiner. <Amended 
by Presidential Decree No. 21917, Dec. 30, 2009>  
(6) Matters necessary for training of examiners and administrative patent judges under paragraphs (1) 
and (2) shall be determined by the Commissioner of the Korean Intellectual Property Office.  
[This Article Wholly Amended by Presidential Decree No. 15408, Jun. 26, 1997]  
Article 8-2 (Standards for Designating Specialized Institutions)  
(1) The Commissioner of the Korean Intellectual Property Office may designate corporations that fully 
meet the following requirements as specialized institutions provided for in Article 58 (1) of the Act 
(hereinafter referred to as "specialized institution") pursuant to Article 58 (3) of the Act: Provided, 
That the same shall not apply to corporations, for which designation as specialized institutions has 
been revoked under Article 58-2 (1) 1 of the Act, or corporations which employee a person who has 
been a executive who took office in a corporation at the time of designation as a specialized 
institution, for which two years have not elapsed since the revocation of such designation. <Amended 
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Page 17by Presidential Decree No. 19697, Sep. 28, 2006; Presidential Decree No. 22674, Feb. 22, 2011>  
1.They are required to secure documents and equipment necessary to perform the work of 
searching prior art or conducting a patent classification under the International Patent 
Classification;  
2.They are required to secure the manpower and organization exclusively responsible for 
performing the work of searching prior art or conducting a patent classification under the 
International Patent Classification;  
3.They are required not to have persons on their payrolls who concurrently work for other 
institutions as executives or employees, which perform the work provided for in Article 2 of the 
Patent Attorney Act or are required not to have patent attorneys on their payrolls who are 
registered pursuant to Article 5 of the same Act from their executives and employees;  
4. They are required to have executives and employees in charge of the work of searching prior art 
or conducting a patent classification under the International Patent Classification and to have the 
security system for their facilities and equipment.  
(2) In cases where any specialized institution designated pursuant to paragraph (1) performs any work, 
other than the work of searching prior art or conducting a patent classification under the 
International Patent Classification, the work of searching prior art or conducting a patent 
classification under the International Patent Classification shall not be performed in an unfair 
manner on the grounds of such other work. <Amended by Presidential Decree No. 19697, Sep. 28, 2006>   
(3) Any person who intends to be designated as a specialized institution shall file an application for 
designation as a specialized institution with the Commissioner of the Korean Intellectual Property 
Office together with documents proving the fact that all requirements under each subparagraph of 
paragraph (1) are satisfied. <Amended by Presidential Decree No. 18694, Jan. 31, 2005; Presidential 
Decree No. 19697, Sep. 28, 2006>  
(4) Matters necessary for the detailed criteria concerning the securing of documents, equipment, 
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Page 18manpower and organization, the operation of a specialized institution, and the detailed criteria of 
security systems under each subparagraph of paragraph (1) shall be provided and publicly 
announced by the Commissioner of the Korean Intellectual Property Office. <Newly Inserted by 
Presidential Decree No. 18694, Jan. 31, 2005; Presidential Decree No. 19697, Sep. 28, 2006>  
[This Article Newly Inserted by Presidential Decree No. 13744, Oct. 27, 1992]  
Article 8-3 (Entrustment, etc. of Searching Prior Art)  
(1) With respect to the patent applications or international applications deemed to require searching 
prior art or conducting a patent classification under the International Patent Classification pursuant 
to Article 58 (1) of the Act, the Commissioner of the Korean Intellectual Property Office may 
commission any specialized institution to search prior art or conduct a patent classification under the 
International Patent Classification. <Amended by Presidential Decree No. 19697, Sep. 28, 2006; 
Presidential Decree No. 21567, Jun. 26, 2009>   
(2) In cases where any specialized institution is commissioned by the Commissioner of the Korean 
Intellectual Property Office to search prior art or conduct a patent classification under the 
International Patent Classification pursuant to paragraph (1), the head of such institution shall 
promptly notify the Korean Intellectual Property Office of the result of the search and the 
classification. <Amended by Presidential Decree No. 19697, Sep. 28, 2006>  
(3) In cases where the Commissioner of the Korean Intellectual Property Office recognizes that the 
result of the search and the classification referred to in paragraph (2) is insufficient to identify the 
existence of prior art and the patent classification under the International Patent Classification in 
connection with the relevant patent application or international application, he/she may 
recommission the head of the relevant specialized institution to search prior art and conduct a 
patent classification under the International Patent Classification after defining the scope of the 
search, etc. <Amended by Presidential Decree No. 19697, Sep. 28, 2006; Presidential Decree No. 21567, Jun. 
26, 2009>  
IP/N/1/KOR/E/6 
Page 19(4) Paragraph (2) shall be applicable mutatis mutandis to recommission referred to in paragraph (3). 
<Amended by Presidential Decree No. 21567, Jun. 26, 2009>  
[This Article Newly Inserted by Presidential Decree No. 13744, Oct. 27, 1992]  
Article 9 (Object of Prior Examination)  
"Patent application prescribed by Presidential Decree" in subparagraph 2 of Article 61 of the Act 
means any of the following patent applications designated by the Commissioner of the Korean 
Intellectual Property Office: <Amended by Presidential Decree No. 16852, Jun. 23, 2000; Presidential 
Decree No. 17246, Jun. 27, 2001; Presidential Decree No. 18694, Jan. 31, 2005; Presidential Decree No. 
19697, Sep. 28, 2006; Presidential Decree No. 20127, Jun. 28, 2007; Presidential Decree No. 20137, Jun. 29, 
2007; Presidential Decree No. 21053, Sep. 30, 2008; Presidential Decree No. 21567, Jun. 26, 2009>  
1. A patent application in the area of the defense industry;  
2. A patent application directly related to green technology [referring to technology that minimizes 
emissions of greenhouse gases and pollutants by saving energy and resources and making use 
of them efficiently throughout the whole process of social and economic activities, such as 
technology related to reducing greenhouse gases, raising the efficiency of energy utilization, 
pollution-free production, clean energy, recycling resources, and eco-friendliness (including 
related convergence technology)];  
3. A patent application directly related to the promotion of exportation;  
4. A patent application concerning the official duties of the State or local governments (including any 
patent application concerning the duties of the national and public schools provided for in the 
Higher Education Act, which is filed by the organization in charge of the technology transfer and 
industrialization established within the national and public schools pursuant to Article 11 (1) of 
the Technology Transfer and Commercialization Promotion Act);  
5. A patent application filed by an enterprise confirmed as a venture business under Article 25 of the 
Act on Special Measures for the Promotion of Venture Businesses;  
IP/N/1/KOR/E/6 
Page 205-2. A patent application filed by an enterprise selected as a technology-innovative small and 
medium enterprise under Article 15 of the Act on the Promotion of Technology Innovation of 
Small and Medium Enterprises;  
6. A patent application concerning the results of the State's project to support the development of 
new technology or quality certification;  
7. A patent application which is based on a priority claim under treaties (limited to cases where a 
foreign patent office, upon receiving such priority claim based on the relevant patent application, 
is in the process of taking procedures for such patent);  
8. A patent-applied invention for which the applicant is in process of commercializing or is preparing 
to do so;  
9. A patent application directly related to electronic transaction;  
10. A patent application on which the Commissioner of the Korean Intellectual Property Office has 
agreed with the commissioner of any foreign intellectual property office to preferentially examine 
such;  
11. A patent application for which a person who intends to file an appli- cation for prior examination 
retained a specialized institution under Article 58 (1) of the Act to search prior arts with respect to 
the invention for which the patent application is pending, and requested the specialized 
institution to notify the results of the search to the Commissioner of the Korean Intellectual 
Property Office.  
[This Article Wholly Amended by Presidential Decree No. 16417, Jun. 30, 1999]  
Article 10 (Decision on Prior Examination)  
(1) Any person who applies for a prior examination, shall file with the Commissioner of the Korean 
Intellectual Property Office an application for prior examination prescribed by Ordinance of the 
Ministry of Knowledge Economy. <Amended by Presidential Decree No. 13870, Mar. 6, 1993; Presidential 
Decree No. 15009, Jun. 3, 1996; Presidential Decree No. 16417, Jun. 30, 1999; Presidential Decree No. 20729, 
IP/N/1/KOR/E/6 
Page 21Feb. 29, 2008>   
(2) The Commissioner of the Korean Intellectual Property Office shall, upon receiving an application for 
prior examination under paragraph (1),decide whether to conduct the prior examination.  
(3) Matters necessary for the decision on prior examination as referred to in paragraph (2) shall be 
determined by the Commissioner of the Korean Intellectual Property Office.  
 
CHAPTER Ⅲ CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT, ETC. OF PATENT 
APPLICATION RELATED TO NATIONAL DEFENSE  
Article 11 (Classification Criteria of Patent Application Related to National Defense)  
The Commissioner of the Korean Intellectual Property Office shall deter- mine the classification 
criteria necessary for selection of inventions to be treated as confidential under Article 41 (1) of the 
Act (hereinafter referred to as "classification criteria") after consulting with the Commissioner of the 
Defense Acquisition Program Administration. <Amended by Presidential Decree No. 19697, Sep. 28, 
2006>  
Article 12 (Procedure for Confidential Treatment)  
(1) If a patent application filed by a person having a domicile or busi- ness place in the Republic of 
Korea is conformed to the classification criteriaas prescribed in Article 11, the Commissioner of the 
Korean Intellectual Property Office shall refer the Commissioner of the Defense Acquisition Program 
Administration to whether it is required to classify and treat such application as confidential. 
<Amended by Presidential Decree No. 19697, Sep. 28, 2006>   
(2) Where the Commissioner of the Korean Intellectual Property Office has made a reference to the 
Commissioner of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration under paragraph (1), he/she shall 
notify an inventor, applicant and representative of the patent application, and a person who is 
deemed aware of the invention (hereinafter referred to as "inventor, etc.") of such fact, and request 
IP/N/1/KOR/E/6 
Page 22them to maintain the confidentiality thereof. <Amended by Presidential Decree No. 19697, Sep. 28, 2006>   
(3) The Commissioner of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration shall, upon receiving a 
reference under paragraph (1), make a reply within two months, and if it is deemed necessary to 
treat the patent application as confidential, he/she shall request the Commissioner of the Korean 
Intellectual Property Office to classify and treat such patent application as confidential. <Amended by 
Presidential Decree No. 19697, Sep. 28, 2006>   
(4) Upon receiving a request to classify and treat any patent application as confidential under paragraph 
(3), the Commissioner of the Korean Intellectual Property Office shall take necessary measures in 
conformity with the confidential service rules, and order the inventor, etc. of the patent application to 
classify and treat it as confidential, and if he/she is not requested so, he/she shall notify the inventor, 
etc. of the patent application of a cancellation of the request for maintenance of confidentiality as 
referred to in paragraph (2). <Amended by Presidential Decree No. 18694, Jan. 31, 2005>  
(5) Upon receiving a reply of the Commissioner of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration 
under paragraph (3), the Commissioner of the Korean Intellectual Property Office shall promptly 
issue an order to classify and treat the patent application as confidential, or notify a cancellation of 
the request for maintenance of confidentiality under paragraph (4). <Amended by Presidential Decree 
No. 19697, Sep. 28, 2006>   
Article 13 (Cancellation, etc. of Confidential Treatment)  
(1) With respect to a patent application which is ordered to be classi- fied and treated as confidential 
under Article 12 (4), the Commissioner of the Korean Intellectual Property Office shall take 
necessary measures after consulting twice or more each year with the Commissioner of the 
Defense Acquisition Program Administration on the cancellation of confidentiality, extension of 
confidential maintenance period orwhether to change the confidential level. <Amended by Presidential 
Decree No. 19697, Sep. 28, 2006>   
(2) An inventor, etc. who is ordered to classify and treat a patent application as confidential under Article 
IP/N/1/KOR/E/6 
Page 2312 (4), may request the Commissioner of the Korean Intellectual Property Office to release it from 
confidential treatment, to change the confidential level or to publish or license the invention to which 
a patent is applied, in a specified limit.  
Article 14 (Compensation)  
(1) A patent applicant may request to the Commissioner of the Defense Acquisition Program 
Administration for a compensation for losses arising from the prohibition of a patent application from 
being filed in a foreign country or by being treated as confidential(hereinafter referred to as 
"compensation") under Article 41 (3) of the Act. <Amended by Presidential Decree No. 17246, Jun. 27, 
2001; Presidential Decree No. 19697, Sep. 28, 2006>  
(2) If a patent applicant requests a compensation under paragraph (1), he/she shall submit a written 
request for compensation and documentary evidence proving the losses.  
(3) Upon receiving a request for compensation under paragraph (1) from a patent applicant, the 
Commissioner of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration shall determine and pay the 
amount of compensation, and if necessary, he/she may consult with the Commissioner of the 
Korean Intellectual Property Office. <Amended by Presidential Decree No. 19697, Sep. 28, 2006>  
Article 15 (Prohibition of Patent Application from Being Filed in Foreign Country and Permission thereof)  
(1) If an invention for which a patent application is filed by a person having the domicile or business 
office in the Republic of Korea, is demanded by the Commissioner of the Korean Intellectual 
Property Office to be maintained as confidential under Article 12 (2), or is ordered to be classified 
and treated as confidential under paragraph (4) of the said Article, such person may file a patent 
application in any foreign country only when it is permitted by the Commissioner of the Korean 
Intellectual Property Office.  
(2) A person who intends to be granted permission for filing of a patent application in a foreign country 
shall submit to the Commissioner of the Korean Intellectual Property Office a written application 
therefor prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Knowledge Economy. <Amended by Presidential 
IP/N/1/KOR/E/6 
Page 24Decree No. 13870, Mar. 6, 1993; Presidential Decree No. 15009, Jun. 3, 1996; Presidential Decree No. 16417, 
Jun. 30, 1999; Presidential Decree No. 20729, Feb. 29, 2008>  
Article 16 (Consultations with Commissioner of Defense Acquisition Program Administration)  
If the Commissioner of the Korean Intellectual Property Office intends to grant permission under any 
of the following subparagraphs, he/she shall first consult with the Commissioner of the Defense 
Acquisition Program Administration: <Amended by Presidential Decree No. 19697, Sep. 28, 2006>  
1.Permission on a publication or license of an invention classified and treated as confidential under 
Article 13 (2) in a specified limit;  
2.Permission on a patent application in a foreign country under Article 15 (2).  
 
CHAPTER Ⅳ SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS  
Article 17 Deleted. <by Presidential Decree No. 20127, Jun. 28, 2007>  
Article 18 (Service, etc. of Documents)  
(1) Except in cases where the documents to be served under the Act are directly received by the party 
or his/her representative at the Korean Intellectual Property Office or the Intellectual Property 
Tribunalor received by utilizing the information and communication networks, such documents shall 
be sent by registered mail. <Amended by Presidential Decree No. 14059, Dec. 31, 1993; Presidential 
Decree No. 15408, Jun. 26, 1997; Presidential Decree No. 17246, Jun. 27, 2001; Presidential Decree No. 
20127, Jun. 28, 2007>  
(2) Where the Commissioner of the Korean Intellectual Property Office or the President of the 
Intellectual Property Tribunal has served the documents pursuant to paragraph (1), he/she shall 
keep a receipt or its details according to any of the following subparagraphs: <Amended by Presidential 
Decree No. 17246, Jun. 27, 2001>  
1. Where a party or his/her representative receives the documents directly at the Korean Intellectual 
Property Office or the Intellectual Property Tribunal, the receipt specifying the date of receipt and 
IP/N/1/KOR/E/6 
Page 25the name of recipient;  
2. Where a party or his/her representative receives the documents by utilizing the information and 
communication networks, the details written in a file for receipt saved on a computer system 
operated by the Korean Intellectual Property Office or the Intellectual Property Tribunal;  
3. Where the documents are sent by registered mail, the receipt of the registered mail.  
(3) If the certified copies of an adjudication or decision of trial, review, ruling on the establishment of 
non-exclusive license and revocation of patent right are served, it shall be made by a special service 
method as prescribed by the Postal Service Act and the Enforcement Decree thereof: Provided, 
That when such copies are delivered to persons who have reported on the use of electronic 
documents under Article 28-4 (1) of the Act, the information and communications network may be 
used. <Amended by Presidential Decree No. 14059, Dec. 31, 1993; Presidential Decree No. 15408, Jun. 26, 
1997; Presidential Decree No. 16417, Jun. 30, 1999; Presidential Decree No. 19697, Sep. 28, 2006; 
Presidential Decree No. 22674; Presidential Decree No. 22674, Feb. 22, 2011>  
(4) Except as otherwise provided for in the Act or this Decree, a certified copy of the document 
concerned shall be delivered to the person to whom it is to be served, and if a protocol is prepared 
in lieu of presentation of the document to be served, a certified copy or abstract of such protocol 
shall be delivered.  
(5) Any service to a person falling under the main sentence of Article 3 (1) of the Act shall be made to 
his/her legal representative.  
(6) If several persons jointly exercise the attorneyship, it shall be sufficient to serve it to one of them. 
<Amended by Presidential Decree No. 14059, Dec. 31, 1993; Presidential Decree No. 22674, Feb. 22, 2011>   
(7) Any service to a person in a prison or detention house shall be made to the head of such prison o r 
detention house. <Amended by Presidential Decree No. 14059, Dec. 31, 1993>  
(8) In cases where there exist two or more parties or their representatives and a report is made on a 
representative selected to receive documents to the Commissioner of the Korean Intellectual 
IP/N/1/KOR/E/6 
Page 26Property Office or the President of the Intellectual Property Tribunal, documents shall be delivered 
to such representative. <Newly Inserted by Presidential Decree No. 22674, Feb. 22, 2011>  
(9) The place to be served shall be the domicile or business office of the person to be served: Provided, 
That where a person intending to be served a document has made a report on the place where 
he/she want to receive it (limited to a place in the Republic of Korea) in advance to the 
Commissioner of the Korean Intellectual Property Office or the President of the Intellectual Property 
Tribunal, it shall be such place. <Amended by Presidential Decree No. 14059, Dec. 31, 1993; Presidential 
Decree No. 18694, Jan. 31, 2005; Presidential Decree No. 22674, Feb. 22, 2011>  > 
(10) If a person to be served changes his/her place to be served, he/she shall report it without delay to 
the Commissioner of the Korean Intellectual Property Office. <Newly Inserted by Presidential Decree No. 
14059, Dec. 31, 1993; Presidential Decree No. 22674, Feb. 22, 2011>   
(11) If a person to be served refuses to receive the service without justifiable grounds and it is thereby 
impossible to serve, the service shall be deemed to have been made on the day of sending. 
<Amended by Presidential Decree No. 22674, Feb. 22, 2011>   
(12) Sending, etc. of documents, other than those to be served under the Act shall be made as 
prescribed by the Commissioner of the Korean Intellectual Property Office. <Newly Inserted by 
Presidential Decree No. 14059, Dec. 31, 1993; Presidential Decree No. 20127, Jun. 28, 2007; Presidential 
Decree No. 22674, Feb. 22, 2011>   
Article 19 (Patent Gazette)  
(1) The Patent Gazette as prescribed in Article 221 of the Act shall be classified into the patent gazette 
for public announcement of registration and the patent gazette for disclosure of patent application. 
<Amended by Presidential Decree No. 15408, Jun. 26, 1997>  
(2) The patent gazette for public announcement of registration shall contain the following matters: 
<Amended by Presidential Decree No. 16417, Jun. 30, 1999; Presidential Decree No. 17246, Jun. 27, 2001; 
Presidential Decree No. 17995, Jun. 13, 2003; Presidential Decree No. 19697, Sep. 28, 2006; Presidential 
IP/N/1/KOR/E/6 
Page 27Decree No. 21567, Jun. 26, 2009>  
1. The name and domicile of a patentee (in cases of a juristic person, its title and the location of its 
place of business);  
2. An application number, classification code and date of application;  
3. The name and domicile of an inventor;  
4. Patent number and its registration date of establishment;  
5. The publication date of registration;  
6. Matters concerning priority claim;  
7. Matters concerning converted applications or divisional applications;  
8. Specifications, drawings and abstracts attached to a patent application;  
9. The layi ng-open number of patent application and its date of laying-open;  
10. Matters concerning ex officio amendments under Article 66-2 of the Act;  
11. The details of correction made pursuant to Article 133-2, 136 or 137 of the Act;  
12. Other matters deemed necessary by the Commissioner of the Korean Intellectual Property 
Office.  
(3) The patent gazette for disclosure of patent application shall contain the following matters: Provided, 
That matters deemed to disrupt public order or morality or harm public sanitation shall be excluded: 
<Amended by Presidential Decree No. 16417, Jun. 30, 1999; Presidential Decree No. 17246, Jun. 27, 2001; 
Presidential Decree No. 17995, Jun. 13, 2003; Presidential Decree No. 19697, Sep. 28, 2006>  
1. The name and domicile of a patentee (in cases of a juristic person, its title and the location of its 
place of business);  
2. An application number, classification code and date of application;  
3. The name and domicile of an inventor;  
4. The laying-open number of patent application and its date of laying-open;  
5. Specifications, drawings and abstracts attached to a patent application;  
IP/N/1/KOR/E/6 
Page 286. Matters concerning priority claim;  
7. Matters concerning converted applications or divisional applications;  
8. The fact of requesting the examination of a patent application under Article 60 (2) of the Act: 
Provided, Thatif the fact is not published while laying open the application, the laying-open 
number of publication, classification code and the number of such patent application as well as 
the fact of requesting such examination shall be published in the next patent gazette for 
disclosure of patent application;  
9. The intent to the effect that anyone may claim to the Commissioner of the Korean Intellectual 
Property Office against any patent application concerned with information and proof 
substantiating his/her claim under Article 63-2 of the Act;  
10. Other matters concerning the publication of patent application.  
Article 20 (Imposition of Fines for Negligenc e) 
The guidelines for the imposition of fines for negligence under Article 232 (1) of the Act are as 
provided for in the attached Table.  
<Amended by Presidential Decree No. 23341, Dec. 2, 2011>  
 
ADDENDUM  
This Decree shall enter into force on September 1, 1990.  
 
ADDENDUM <Presidential Decree No. 13744, Oct. 27, 1992>  
This Decree shall enter into force on November 1, 1992.  
 
ADDENDA <Presidential Decree No. 13870, Mar. 6, 1993>  
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)  
This Decree shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.  
IP/N/1/KOR/E/6 
Page 29Articles 2 through 4 Omitted.  
 
ADDENDA <Presidential Decree No. 14059, Dec. 31, 1993>  
(1) (Enforcement Date) This Decree shall enter into force on January 1, 1994.  
(2) (Transitional Measures for Object of Prior Examination) Withrespect to another person's patent 
application for which the Government or local government and its contributed research institute 
requested the examination, before this Decree enters into force, the former provisionsshall apply.  
(3) (Special Case concerning Request for Compensation) The amended provisions of Article 14 (1) 
shall also apply to any patent application classified into and treated as confidential, before this Decree 
enters into force.  
(4) Omitted.  
 
ADDENDA <Presidential Decree No. 15009, Jun. 3, 1996>  
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)  
This Decree shall enter into force on July 1, 1996: Provided, That the amended provisions of 
subparagraph 2 of Article 7 shall enter into force on December 7, 1996.  
Article 2 Omitted.  
 
ADDENDA <Presidential Decree No. 15408, Jun. 26, 1997>  
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)  
This Decree shall enter into force on July 1, 1997: Provided, That the amended provisions of Article 
19 (3) 2 (e) through (j) shall enter into  
force on February 1, 1998 and the amended provisions of Articles 4 (1) 2, 8, and 18 (1) and (2) shall 
enter into force on March 1, 1998.  
Article 2 (Transitional Measures on Calculation, etc. of Period for Qualification of Administrative Patent 
IP/N/1/KOR/E/6 
Page 30Judges, etc.)  
(1) The term of office which any person has served as a State public official of Grade Ⅳ or Ⅴ in 
general service in the affairs of appellate trial at the appellate trial tribunal and the term of 
completion which he/she has completed the training courses for a technical examiner and 
administrative patent judge as a State public official of Grade Ⅳ in general service at the 
International Patent Training Center before the amended provisions of Article 8 (2) enter into force 
shall be deemed the term of office which he/she has served as an examiner as referred to in 
subparagraph 1 of the same paragraph.  
(2) The term of office which any person has served as an administrative patent judge at the Korean 
Intellectual Property Office before the amended provisions of Article 8 (3) enter into force shall be 
deemed the term of office which he/she has served as an administrative patent judge as referred to 
in subparagraph 1 of the same paragraph.  
(3) Any person qualified as an administrative patent judge or appellate examiner pursuant to the 
previous provisions as at the time the amended provisions of Article 8 (2) and (3) enter into force 
shall be deemed a person qualified as an administrative patent judge or a presiding administrative 
patent judge under this Decree.  
Article 3 (Special Cases on Special Service of Adjudication, etc.)  
In applying the amended provisions of Article 18 (3), "trial" in the same paragraph of the same 
Article shall be construed as "trial, appellate trial and immediate appeal" until February 28, 1998.  
 
ADDENDA <Presidential Decree No. 16417, Jun. 30, 1999>  
(1) (Enforcement Date) This Decree shall enter into force on July 1, 1999.  
(2) (Applicability) The amended provisions of Article 9 shall apply from the first patent application with 
a request for an accelerated examination made after this Decree enters into force.  
 
IP/N/1/KOR/E/6 
Page 31ADDENDA <Presidential Decree No. 16725, Feb. 28, 2000>  
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)  
This Decree shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation. (Proviso Omitted.)  
Articles 2 and 3 Omitted.  
 
ADDENDA <Presidential Decree No. 16852, Jun. 23, 2000>  
(1) (Enforcement Date) This Decree shall enter into force on July 1, 2000.  
(2) (Applicability to Request for Accelerated Examination) The amended provisions of subparagraph 9 
of Article 9 shall apply from the first patent application with a request for accelerated examination filed 
after this Decree enters into force.  
 
ADDENDUM <Presidential Decree No. 17246, Jun. 27, 2001>  
This Decree shall enter into force on July 1, 2001.  
 
ADDENDUM <Presidential Decree No. 17995, Jun. 13, 2003>  
This Decree shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.  
 
ADDENDUM <Presidential Decree No. 18312, Mar. 17, 2004>  
This Decree shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.  
 
ADDENDUM <Presidential Decree No. 18694, Jan. 31, 2005>  
This Decree shall enter into force on February 11, 2005.  
 
ADDENDA <Presidential Decree No. 19513, Jun. 12, 2006>  
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)  
This Decree shall enter into force on July 1, 2006.  
IP/N/1/KOR/E/6 
Page 32Articles 2 through 4 Omitted.  
 
ADDENDA <Presidential Decree No. 19697, Sep. 28, 2006>  
(1) (Enforcement Date) This Decree shall enter into force on October 1, 2006: Provided, That the 
amended provisions of Articles 8 (2) and (3) 2, 18 (3) and 19 (2) 10 shall enter into force on July 1, 
2007.  
(2) (Applicability to Accelerated Examination) The amended provisions of Article 9 shall apply from the 
first patent application with a request for accelerated examination filed after this Decree enters into 
force.  
(3) (Transitional Measures concerning Qualification Requirements for Administrative Patent Judges) 
Any person qualified as an administrative patent judge or a presiding administrative patent judge 
pursuant to the previous provisions as at the time the amended provisions of Article 8 (2) and (3) 
enter into force shall be deemed a person qualified as an administrative patent judge or a presiding 
administrative patent judge, respectively, pursuant to this Decree.  
(4) (Transitional Matters concerning Publication of Patent Gazette) The publication of the patent 
gazette concerning the patent application filed pursuant to the previous provisions as at the time the 
amended provisions of Article 19 (2) 7 and (3) 7 and 9 enter into force shall be governed by the 
previous provisions.  
 
ADDENDUM <Presidential Decree No. 20127, Jun. 28, 2007>  
This Decree shall enter into force on July 1, 2007.  
 
ADDENDA <Presidential Decree No. 20137, Jun. 29, 2007>  
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)  
This Decree shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.  
IP/N/1/KOR/E/6 
Page 33Articles 2 through 5 Omitted.  
 
ADDENDA <Presidential Decree No. 20729, Feb. 29, 2008>  
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)  
This Decree shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.  
Articles 2 and 3 Omitted.  
 
ADDENDA <Presidential Decree No. 21053, Sep. 30, 2008>  
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)  
This Decree shall enter into force on October 1, 2008.  
Article 2 (Applicability to Cases Eligible for Accelerated Examination)  
The amended provisions of Article 9 shall apply from the firstpatent application with a request for 
accelerated examination filed after this Decree enters into force.  
 
ADDENDA <Presidential Decree No. 21567, Jun. 26, 2009>  
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)  
This Decree shall enter into force on July 1, 2009: Provided, That the amended provisions of Article 
8-3 shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation, those of subparagraph 2 of Article 9 on 
October 1, 2009, and those of Article 3 on January 1, 2010.  
Article 2 (Applicability to Matters Entered in Patent Specifications of Invention related to Micro-Organism)  
The amended provisions of Article 3 shall apply from the first patent application, divisional 
application, converted application, and application made by a lawful holder of the right after an 
application made by an unentitled person after the date the amended provisions of Article 3 under 
the proviso to Article 1 of the Addenda enter into force.  
Article 3 (Transitional Measures)  
IP/N/1/KOR/E/6 
Page 34Notwithstanding the amended provisions of Article 4 (1) 2, the previous provisions shall apply to any 
patent application made before this Decree enters into force.  
 
ADDENDUM <Presidential Decree No. 21917, Dec. 30, 2009>  
This Decree shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.  
 
ADDENDA <Presidential Decree No. 22674, Feb. 22, 2011>  
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)  
This Decree shall enter into force on April 1, 2011.  
Article 2 (Applicable Examples concerning Delivery of Copies of Adjudication or Decision)  
The amended provisions of Article 18 (3) shall apply from the first adjudication or decision field after 
the enforcement of this Decree.  
 
ADDENDA <Presidential Decree No. 23341, Dec. 2, 2011>  
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)  
This Decree shall enter into force on the date when the Free Trade Agreement between the 
Republic of Korea and the United States of America comes into effect in the Republic of Korea: 
Provided, That the amended provisions of Article 20 and the attached table shall enter into force on 
January 1, 2012.  
Article 2 (Applicability to Period Delayed Due to Applicants)  
The amended provisions of Article 7-2 shall apply from the first patent application field after this 
Decree enters into force.  
Article 3 (Transitional Measures concerning Fines for Negligence)  
(1) The application of standards for imposition of fines for negligence against violations before this 
Decree enters into force shall be governed by the previous provisions, notwithstanding the amended 
IP/N/1/KOR/E/6 
Page 35provisions of the attached table.  
(2) The imposition of fines for negligence against violations before this Decree enters into force shall 
not be included in calculating the number of violations under the amended provisions of the attached 
table.  
 
 
__________  
IP/N/1/KOR/E/6 
Page 36