Provisional Application
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Provisional · Guide

From upload to KIPO, in five minutes.

Documents to prepare, four-step flow, the cautions that matter, and the 12-month clock — written down by Korean patent attorneys so you can move with confidence.

The process

Four steps from input to KIPO filing.

All you do is upload the invention and fill in applicant details. iphere handles everything else.

  1. 01~5 minutes

    Upload your invention material

    A single document that best describes the invention you want protected. Format is wide-open — paper, idea note, slide deck, research report. iphere accepts the source file as-is.

    • Technical field and background
    • The problem you are solving
    • Core structure and how it works
    • Differences and advantages over prior art
    • (Optional) drawings, diagrams, embodiments
    You do

    Drag and drop one invention document and (optional) drawings or images.

    iphere handles

    Validate file format and size, auto-save your draft so you can resume from any device.

  2. 02~5 minutes

    Enter applicant and inventor details

    Information about the applicant (rights holder) and inventor(s) (the natural persons who conceived the invention) is captured in both Korean and English. Multiple applicants and inventors are supported.

    • Applicant name, address, contact (Korean + English)
    • Corporate ID or business registration if entity
    • Inventor name, nationality, country of residence, address
    • All inventors when there are several
    • Indicate whether applicant and inventor are the same
    You do

    Enter applicant (individual or entity) and at least one inventor in both Korean and English.

    iphere handles

    Validate inputs in real time and map them automatically to KIPO's required format.

  3. 03~1 minute

    Pay & sign the POA

    Toss Payments handles cards, easy-pay, and bank transfers. The instant payment clears, your case enters attorney review and the Power of Attorney email is sent to the applicant.

    • Toss Payments checkout (card, easy-pay, transfer)
    • Receipt issued automatically
    • POA PDF auto-generated and emailed
    • Auto-collected after e-signature — no print or post
    • Multi-case discount applied automatically
    You do

    Pick a payment method, then e-sign the POA email when it arrives.

    iphere handles

    Move the case into attorney review the moment payment clears, generate and email the POA PDF.

  4. 041–2 business days

    Attorney review, then KIPO filing

    An iphere Korean patent attorney reviews materials and formatting one last time, then files officially with the Korean Intellectual Property Office. The application number reflects in your dashboard the moment KIPO assigns it.

    • Attorney's final document and format check
    • Korean title and abstract drafted (English source attached)
    • Electronic filing through KIPO
    • Application number, filing date, official receipt
    • Auto-scheduled 12-month conversion reminder
    You do

    Reply to any clarification request from your attorney (often none).

    iphere handles

    Final review against KIPO formatting, electronic filing with KIPO, registration of the 12-month conversion alert.

Documents

All you bring is the invention and who's filing it.

Translation, KIPO formatting and the POA — iphere takes care of all of it. The Korean provisional system is intentionally form-free.

Required

Invention document

Format
PDF · DOCX · PPTX · HWP · image
Note
Paper, idea notes, slides, research report — any of them work. Korean or English. Single file.
Optional

Drawings or images

Format
JPG · PNG · PDF
Note
Skip this if drawings are already in the main document. Hand-drawn sketches are fine.
Required

Applicant information

Format
Name, address, contact — Korean + English
Note
Individual or entity. Business registration ID for entities. Indicate ownership share with multiple applicants.
Required

Inventor information

Format
Name, nationality, country of residence, address
Note
Natural person(s) who actually conceived the invention. At least one; can be multiple. May differ from applicant.
Optional

Foreign priority document

Format
PDF (issued by foreign IP office)
Note
Only if you have a prior foreign filing within the last 12 months. Otherwise ignore.
Automated

Power of Attorney (POA)

Format
PDF — auto-generated by iphere
Note
Emailed to the applicant right after payment. Just e-sign — no printing or postage required.
Cautions

Read this before you file.

A Korean provisional is powerful but has clear limits. The four points our attorneys emphasize most.

Must

Convert to a regular filing within 12 months.

A provisional alone never grants a patent. You must convert to a regular Korean patent application within 12 months from the filing date to keep the priority date. Miss the deadline and the priority date is lost. iphere sends automatic reminders, but plan the conversion early.

Must

You cannot add new subject matter later.

When converting to the regular filing, any technical content not present in the original provisional fails to inherit the priority date. So write the first upload as thoroughly as you can — variations, embodiments and alternatives included.

Watch

File before any public disclosure when possible.

Korea allows a 12-month grace period after self-disclosure. But the US, Europe, China and others may have shorter or no grace period. If foreign filing is on your roadmap, file the provisional before any presentation, paper, or public demo.

Note

English is fine — no pre-translation needed.

Source documents do not need to be in Korean. Upload English papers, slides or notes as-is. iphere's Korean attorneys draft a Korean title and abstract for KIPO and attach your English source unchanged.

Key dates

A 12-month clock starts on Day 0.

The day your provisional is officially filed with KIPO becomes Day 0. iphere sends staged reminders so the deadline never slips.

  1. Day 0

    Filing date secured

    After attorney review, your case is filed electronically with KIPO. This date becomes your priority date.

  2. Day +1–2

    Application number issued

    KIPO assigns an application number and an official receipt; both surface in your dashboard and inbox automatically.

  3. Day +6 months

    Start preparing the regular filing

    A regular specification, claims and drawings typically take 1–2 months to prepare. Starting at the 6-month mark gives you comfortable buffer.

  4. Day +11 months

    Final reminder email

    iphere sends the last conversion reminder. From here, decide whether to convert to a regular Korean filing or file abroad with priority claim.

  5. Day +12 months

    Priority expiration · conversion deadline

    By 24:00 on this date you must have either filed a regular Korean patent application or claimed Paris Convention priority abroad. After this, the priority date is gone and the provisional has no further effect.