2007-08-22 오후 4:36:53   286   Trademark applications sharply increase for ‘monogram’ Recent applications for trademarks with a ‘monogram’ format are sharply increasing. According to the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO, Commissioner: Sang-Woo Jun), the number of applications for monogram trademarks was 2,161 during the eight years from 1997 to 2004. During the past two years (2005~2006), the number was 868, showing a significant increase rate of 60.7% per year. This increase rate is far higher than the increase rate of regular trademarks, a 4.8% rate, during the same period. A monogram is a design that combines more than two words to make a single shape. Monrgrams have been used as a signature or seal for art pieces, as well as used as a stamp for warranting money in ancient times. In medieval times, monograms were used in rings for sealing wax (commonly used to print a seal on a document after closing the envelope). Monogram trademarks have been increasingly filed because they allow customers to easily associate with the company’s name by showing the English initials of the company. Monogram trademarks have a simple geometrical form with great symbolism that can leave a lasting impression with the customer. According to KIPO, applicants who wish to register a single Korean letter or less than two English letters/numbers as a trademark must first design them as a figure or monogram, or combine them with another letter or figure discriminated with other trademarks.