Korea Intellectual Property Office says cultural heritage design filings surge 96 percent

The Korea Intellectual Property Office said Tuesday that design applications utilizing Korean cultural heritage surged 96 percent in the first half of the year, reaching 405 cases compared with 207 during the same period a year earlier. The agency attributed the rise to the growing influence of K-content and merchandise featuring traditional culture, such as "K-Pop Demon Hunters" and the National Museum's "Mootz" characters.

Annual applications have climbed from 431 in 2023 to 690 in 2025. Small ornaments accounted for the largest share of filings, followed by printed materials, key holders, textiles and household goods.

The office emphasized that protecting these designs is not to allow exclusive ownership of cultural heritage itself, but to safeguard creative works that reinterpret tradition. Simply reproducing existing cultural forms or combining them without significant alteration will likely fail registration; only designs possessing a new aesthetic sense qualify.

To encourage registration, the agency launched its first Cultural Heritage Utilization Design Selection Contest, accepting entries until August 5. The competition targets designs currently registered and in use that incorporate Korean cultural elements, allowing rights holders and consumers to submit recommendations via an online portal.

Nam Young-taek, director of the Trademark and Design Examination Division, highlighted the success of specific cultural adaptations. "The blue tiger character 'Duffy' from 'K-Pop Demon Hunters,' which draws inspiration from the humorous tigers in the Joseon Dynasty folk painting 'Hojakdo,' is gaining popularity and elevating Korea's status," Nam said. He added that filing for design rights remains the essential method for protecting traditional cultural heritage designs.