Intellectual Property lawyers in Pyongyang (AS)

Patent attorneys in Pyongyang must meet specific qualifications to practice in North Korea. These include:

• Legal education from a recognized institution
• Registration with the North Korean bar association
• Technical background for patent matters
• Knowledge of North Korean IP legislation
• Understanding of the 2005 Law on Intellectual Property Protection

Attorneys handling patent applications must also be familiar with the procedures of the Intellectual Property Office of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

Businesses can register trademarks in Pyongyang through the Intellectual Property Office of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, located in the central district of the capital. The registration process requires filing an application with the appropriate documentation, payment of official fees, and examination by the trademark office. Foreign entities typically work with a trademark lawyer in Pyongyang to navigate the local requirements and language barriers during the registration process.

Copyright protection under North Korean intellectual property laws lasts for the author’s lifetime plus 50 years after death. This duration applies to literary works, artistic creations, music, and other protected content. North Korea follows this standard as a signatory to the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works. The protection begins automatically when the work is created, though registration provides additional legal benefits when enforcing rights.

Local representation is important when filing for patent protection in North Korea for several reasons:

1. Language requirements – all documents must be in Korean
2. Understanding of specific technical examination procedures
3. Knowledge of North Korean patent law nuances
4. Ability to respond to office actions from local examiners
5. Established relationships with the IP Office in Pyongyang

Patent filing in North Korea involves administrative procedures that differ from international standards, making local expertise valuable for successful applications.

North Korea established its current system for trademark registration with the adoption of the Law on Intellectual Property Protection in 2005. This legislation formalized the trademark registration process, set the protection period at 10 years (renewable), and outlined enforcement mechanisms. The system operates through the Intellectual Property Office in Pyongyang, which handles applications, examinations, and maintenance of the trademark registry for both domestic and international applicants.

North Korea has joined several international intellectual property agreements:

• The Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property
• The Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works
• The Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT)
• The Madrid Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Marks

These memberships establish North Korea’s participation in the global IP system, though implementation of treaty provisions may differ from other member states due to the country’s specific legal framework.