What are the criteria for distinguishing between unexamined design and examined design?

The design partial-examination registration system is a system under which only the basic requirements are examined for products that are highly trend-sensitive and have a short life cycle, and it takes an average of 3 months until registration.

The products subject to unexamined design are specified as unexamined designs in the design product classification.

The following product classifications are subject to unexamined design (Article 2(5) of the Design Protection Act).

Products subject to unexamined design include

• M1 (woven fabrics, knitted fabrics, synthetic resin sheets)
• B1 (clothing)
• C1 (bedding, floor coverings, curtains)
• F3 (office paper products, printed matter)
• F4 (wrapping paper, packaging containers)

and others.

For other products, you must file an examined design registration application.