Industrial Designs Law in North Korea
Here’s a summary of the Industrial Designs Law in North Korea (DPRK) based on available information:
🇰🇵 Industrial Designs Law in North Korea
📜 Legal Framework
Intellectual property, including industrial designs, is governed primarily by:
The Law on Patents of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (enacted in 2009)
Supplementary regulations on industrial designs fall under this law.
North Korea is not a member of major international IP treaties like the Paris Convention or WIPO treaties.
The IP system in North Korea is generally state-controlled and less transparent than in most countries.
🎨 Definition of Industrial Design
An industrial design protects the ornamental and aesthetic features of a product.
This includes shapes, patterns, colors, and combinations applied to articles.
The design must be new and have industrial applicability.
📝 Registration Process
Authority: State Intellectual Property Office (SIPO) or the relevant government body responsible for IP.
Filing Requirements:
Application form
Clear graphical representations (drawings, photos)
Description of the design
Payment of fees (details generally not publicly available)
Examination: North Korea’s patent office conducts substantive examination, but details are limited.
Publication and opposition procedures are unclear.
⏳ Duration of Protection
Industrial designs are generally protected for 10 years from the date of filing.
Extensions or renewals are typically not publicly documented.
🚫 Infringement and Enforcement
Enforcement mechanisms exist but are rarely transparent to the outside world.
The government controls most IP-related litigation and enforcement.
Foreign applicants often face challenges due to the closed legal system.
🌍 International Context
North Korea is not a member of the Paris Convention, WIPO, TRIPS Agreement, or the Hague System.
Protection for foreign industrial designs is limited to the DPRK jurisdiction only.
Foreign businesses generally face difficulties enforcing IP rights in North Korea.
Summary Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Governing Law | Law on Patents (2009) |
| Registration Authority | State Intellectual Property Office (SIPO) |
| Protection Term | 10 years |
| Examination | Substantive examination (limited info) |
| International Treaties | None |
Note: Due to limited transparency and restricted information flow from North Korea, details may not be fully accurate or up to date.
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