Executive Summary
The Korean Intellectual Property Office announced in a press release on December 30, 2024, several precautions to take regarding changes in the classification criteria for certain items when filing design applications starting from January 1, 2025.
This change is due to the official implementation of the 15th edition of the Locarno Classification, which is revised every two years through consultations among member countries to keep up with the rapidly changing design industry environment. In this revised edition, 143 new names have been added, and 56 item names have been deleted. For instance, names such as “massage beds and pillows” and those related to robots and smart devices have been newly added or included. As an example, “massage pillows” will be classified under Class 6 along with other massage furniture, and “charging stations” for robot vacuum cleaners, electric bicycles, etc., will be classified under Class 13 (electrical apparatus) along with other chargers.
KIPO also emphasized that applicants need to pay particular attention to the changes in the inclusion of certain items in the partial design registration category. Partial design registration is a system for rapid registration that examines only some of the design registration requirements for certain items that are highly susceptible to trends.
For example, a “smart ring,” which is a wearable device, will be moved from Class 10 (Clocks and watches and other measuring instruments) to Class 11 (Ornaments) of the partial design registration category. On the other hand, an “electrical blackboard,” which was categorized as Class 19 (Stationery and office equipment) of the existing partial design registration subject, will be moved to Class 14, which is the subject for general examination.