Trademarks in North Korea

Competent Authority

Trademark registration in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) is administered by the Trademark and Industrial Design Office under the Ministry of External Economic Relations (or related national administrative bodies in Pyongyang). The official working language is Korean, and the system is national.

International Agreements

North Korea is a member of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the World Trade Organization (observer status/historical participation frameworks), and the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property. It is also a contracting party to the Madrid Agreement and the Madrid Protocol concerning the International Registration of Marks, allowing international registrations to designate North Korea.

Who May Apply

Natural persons and legal entities engaging in commercial or industrial activities may apply. Foreign applicants typically must act through authorized local state-designated trademark agencies or patent law practices in Pyongyang. A Power of Attorney (POA) signed by the applicant is generally required for local administrative processing.

Registrable Sign Types

Trademarks may comprise words, letters, numerals, figurative designs, symbols, or combinations thereof capable of distinguishing goods or services. Word marks or non-Korean elements require accurate Korean transliterations and translations for official registry entry.

Classification

North Korea follows the international Nice Classification system for the registration of goods and services. Multi-class applications are handled according to national filing rules and class-specific structures.

Examination

The national office conducts formal administrative reviews followed by substantive examinations evaluating absolute grounds for refusal (such as distinctiveness or state symbols compatibility) and relative grounds against prior rights on the register.

Publication and Opposition

Applications that pass examination are processed through official gazette publication channels, opening statutory windows for interested third parties to file formal oppositions or observations.

Protection Duration and Renewal

Trademark protection is valid for 10 years starting from the official registration or filing date. Registrations can be renewed for successive 10-year periods upon submitting a renewal request and paying the requisite fees.

Use Requirements

A registered trademark is vulnerable to cancellation or non-use revocation actions if it is not put to genuine commercial use for a continuous statutory period. North Korea operates primarily on a first-to-file priority framework.

Post-Registration Procedures

Post-registration changes—including assignments, licensing agreements, changes of registrant name, or changes of address—must be formally recorded with the national office to ensure legal validity and enforceability.

Legal Remedies

Legal remedies include administrative cancellation proceedings, civil protections, and enforcement measures implemented through state administrative and judicial structures to address unauthorized infringement or counterfeiting.

Country-Specific Risks and Practical Notes

Because direct commercial interactions and intellectual property filings involving North Korea are subject to rigorous international sanctions, geopolitical controls, and specific local agency mandates, foreign applicants typically rely on specialized international counsel or Madrid System designations where applicable.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or consultation. To receive personalized and in-depth guidance tailored to your specific situation, we invite you to schedule a consultation.