Hello! This is Maeil Hangeul, here to upgrade your Korean skills to a whole new professional level!
Today, we’re diving into a topic that’s crucial for anyone interested in business, law, or launching their own brand in Korea: understanding the trademark registration process. This might sound complex, but knowing these key terms will make you sound incredibly fluent and knowledgeable.
Especially these days in Korea, the startup scene is booming, and the creator economy is exploding. From K-beauty brands to webtoon characters, everyone is focused on protecting their unique identity. So, let’s learn the language you need to navigate the world of Korean intellectual property!
Core Expressions You Must Know
Here are the essential terms for discussing trademark registration in Korean.
1. 상표 출원 (Sangpyo churwon)
- Pronunciation [Romanized]: Sangpyo churwon
- English Meaning: Trademark Application / Filing a trademark
- Detailed Explanation: This is the formal, legal term for filing a trademark application. While a beginner might use ‘신청’ (sincheong – general application), ‘출원’ (churwon) is the specific term used for patents (특허), trademarks (상표), and designs. Using ‘출원’ instantly signals a high level of proficiency and understanding of legal terminology. It refers to the official act of submitting documents to the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO, 특허청).
- 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
The pronunciation is quite straightforward. The key is to pronounce each syllable clearly: 상 (sang) – 표 (pyo) – 출 (chul) – 원 (won). Ensure the ‘ㄹ’ (l) in ‘출’ has a clear ‘L’ sound at the end of the syllable.
2. 지정상품 (Jijeong sangpum)
- Pronunciation [Romanized]: Jijeong sangpum
- English Meaning: Designated Goods/Services
- Detailed Explanation: This term refers to the specific goods or services that your trademark will protect. You can’t just register a name; you must specify what you’ll use it for (e.g., “cosmetics,” “software,” “restaurant services”). Korea, like most countries, uses the International (Nice) Classification of Goods and Services. Choosing the correct ‘지정상품’ is critical because it defines the scope of your legal rights. An overly broad or narrow designation can lead to major problems later.
- 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
The ‘ㅈ’ in 지정 (jijeong) is an unaspirated ‘j’ sound, somewhere between an English ‘j’ and ‘ch’. Avoid making it sound like a ‘z’.
3. 식별력 (Sikbyeollyeok)
- Pronunciation [Romanized]: Sikbyeollyeok
- English Meaning: Distinctiveness
- Detailed Explanation: This is perhaps the most important legal concept for a successful trademark registration. ‘식별력’ is the “distinguishing power” of your proposed trademark. It must be unique enough for consumers to identify it as the source of a particular product or service. A generic term like ‘Computer’ for a computer company lacks ‘식별력’ and would be rejected. However, a fanciful name like ‘Starlight’ for a new software has strong ‘식별력’. A mark’s strength is judged by its ‘식별력’.
- 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
This word contains a fascinating sound change rule! The final consonant ‘ㄱ’ (k) in ‘식’ meets the initial consonant ‘ㅂ’ (b) in ‘별’. This causes the ‘ㅂ’ to become a tensed sound, [ㅃ] (pp). So, while it’s written as Sik-byeol-lyeok, the natural pronunciation is closer to [식뼐력 / Sikppyeollyeok]. Mastering this will make you sound like a native speaker!
4. 우선권 주장 (Useon-gwon jujang)
- Pronunciation [Romanized]: Useon-gwon jujang
- English Meaning: Claiming Priority / Priority Claim
- Detailed Explanation: This is a vital concept in international intellectual property law, based on the Paris Convention. ‘우선권 주장’ is the act of claiming the filing date of your first trademark application (filed in another member country) for your subsequent Korean application. You must file in Korea within six months of the original foreign filing to make this claim. This strategy is essential for global brands to secure their filing date and prevent others from registering the same mark in Korea in the interim.
- 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
Listen for the smooth connection (liaison, or 연음) in 우선권 [useon-gwon]. The final ‘ㄴ’ (n) consonant in ‘선’ (seon) moves over to the next syllable, which starts with a vowel sound. So, instead of a pause like ‘useon-gwon’, it flows smoothly as [우선권 / useon-gwon].
Example Dialogue
Here’s a conversation between a startup CEO (A) and a Korean patent attorney (변리사, B).
- A: 변리사님, 저희 신규 뷰티 브랜드 ‘아침이슬’의 상표 출원을 공식적으로 진행하고 싶습니다.
- (Byeonrisanim, jeohui singyu byuti beuraendeu ‘Achimiseul’-ui sangpyo churwon-eul gongsikjeogeuro jinhaenghago sipseumnida.)
- Attorney, I’d like to officially proceed with the trademark application for our new beauty brand, ‘Morning Dew’.
- B: 네, 대표님. 지정상품 목록은 확정되셨나요? 1차적으로는 화장품(제3류)으로 진행하되, 향후 사업 확장을 고려해 다른 분류도 검토해야 합니다.
- (Ne, daepyonim. Jijeong sangpum mongnogeun hwakjeongdoesyeonnayo? Ilchajeogeuro-neun hwajangpum(je-sam-ryu)-euro jinhaenghadoe, hyanghu saeop hwakjang-eul goryeohae dareun bullyudo geomtohaeya hamnida.)
- Of course, CEO. Have you finalized the list of designated goods? We’ll primarily proceed with cosmetics (Class 3), but we should also consider other classes for future business expansion.
- A: ‘아침이슬’이라는 이름이 충분한 식별력을 가질 수 있을지 그 부분이 가장 우려됩니다. 너무 서정적인 표현이라서요.
- (Achimiseul-iraneun ireum-i chungbunhan sikbyeollyeok-eul gajil su isseulji geu bubun-i gajang uryeodoemnida. Neomu seojeongjeogin pyohyeon-iraseoyo.)
- My biggest concern is whether the name ‘Morning Dew’ has sufficient distinctiveness. It’s a very lyrical expression.
- B: 좋은 지적입니다. 선행상표조사를 통해 등록 가능성을 분석해 보겠습니다. 혹시 미국이나 유럽에 6개월 내로 먼저 출원하셨다면, 한국에서 우선권 주장을 통해 유리한 지위를 확보할 수 있습니다.
- (Joeun jijeogimnida. Seonhaengsangpyojosa-reul tonghae deungnok ganeungseong-eul bunseokae bogetseumnida. Hoksi migugina yureobe yukgaewol naero meonjeo churwonhasyeotdamyeon, hangugeseo useon-gwon jujang-eul tonghae yurihan jiwi-reul hwakbohal su itseumnida.)
- That’s a valid point. We will analyze its registrability through a prior art search. By the way, if you filed in the US or Europe within the last six months, we can secure an advantageous position by making a priority claim in Korea.
Culture Tip & Trend Analysis
In today’s Korea, intellectual property isn’t just for big corporations. The K-pop industry provides a masterclass in its importance. Agencies like HYBE meticulously file trademarks for everything from group names to fan-created catchphrases like ‘보라해’ (Borahae – “I purple you”), which became a globally recognized symbol of BTS and their fandom. This shows how a simple phrase, once protected, can become a massive intangible asset.
Furthermore, with the rise of the “creator economy,” individual YouTubers and webtoon artists are now proactively filing 상표 출원 for their channel names and character designs. They understand that in a competitive digital market, a strong, protected brand is the key to long-term success. Knowing these terms shows you’re not just a language learner, but someone who understands the pulse of modern Korean business and culture.
Wrap-up & Practice!
Today we learned four professional-level Korean terms crucial for understanding intellectual property:
- 상표 출원 (Sangpyo churwon): Trademark Application
- 지정상품 (Jijeong sangpum): Designated Goods
- 식별력 (Sikbyeollyeok): Distinctiveness
- 우선권 주장 (Useon-gwon jujang): Priority Claim
Now, it’s your turn to practice!
- Fill in the Blank: To protect your new app’s name, the first step is to file a _______________ with the Korean Intellectual Property Office.
- Sentence Challenge: Using the word ‘식별력’, try to write a short sentence in Korean explaining why you probably can’t trademark the name “Seoul Restaurant” for a restaurant in Seoul.
Leave your answers in the comments below! We’d love to see you put these powerful new words to use. Keep up the great work
