Korean Intellectual Property Office Announces Korean Language Trademark and Hangeul Typeface Design Competition

The Korean Intellectual Property Office announced on August 4 that it will hold the Korean Language Excellent Trademark Selection Contest and the Beautiful Hangeul Typeface Design Competition.

The Korean Language Excellent Trademark Selection Contest has been held annually since 2016 with the support of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the National Institute of Korean Language. This year marks the 10th edition. The Beautiful Hangeul Typeface Design Competition is being held for the first time this year to commemorate the 579th anniversary of 'Hangeul Day'.

Entries will be accepted from August 4 to 29. Participants may submit or recommend either their own or others' registered trademarks and designs for the competition.

The eligible trademarks and designs for submission or recommendation are those Korean language trademarks or typeface designs that are currently validly registered as of this month. Trademarks that imitate others' trademarks, trademarks held by individuals suspected of malicious trademark preemption, trademarks involved in ongoing disputes such as trials or lawsuits, trademarks that are not currently in use, and trademarks that have already received awards in similar competitions are excluded.

The Korean Intellectual Property Office plans to select outstanding works from the submitted trademarks and designs through evaluations by Korean language experts recommended by the National Institute of Korean Language, brand industry professionals, and typeface design specialists. The evaluation will be based on criteria such as the uniqueness of the Korean language, brand value, and the formative, aesthetic, and creative qualities of Hangeul typefaces.

Outstanding works will be selected in the following categories: ▲Beautiful Trademark (1 award from the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism) ▲Elegant Trademark (1 award from the Commissioner of the Korean Intellectual Property Office) ▲Friendly Trademark (5 awards from the Director of the National Institute of Korean Language) ▲Beautiful Hangeul Design (1 award from the Commissioner of the Korean Intellectual Property Office) ▲Best Hangeul Design (1 award from the Commissioner of the Korean Intellectual Property Office). The award ceremony is scheduled to be held around Hangeul Day in October.

Lee Chunmu, Director of the Trademark and Design Examination Bureau at the Korean Intellectual Property Office, stated, "Through this competition, we hope to widely inform the public that our language and script possess not only economic value but also artistic merit."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.