International Taekwon-Do Federation
| 국제 태권도 연맹 | |
| Abbreviation | ITF |
|---|---|
| Formation | 22 March 1966 |
| Type | Sports Organisation |
| Purpose | Self defense martial art |
Region served | Worldwide |
President | Grand Master Prof. Ri Yong Son (Vienna, Austria) Grand Master Paul Weiler (Switzerland) |
| Website | itf-tkd.org https://itftkd.sport/ |
International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) is an international taekwondo organization founded on March 22, 1966, by Choi Hong Hi (Korean: 최홍희) in Seoul, South Korea. The ITF was founded to promote and encourage the growth of the Korean martial art of taekwon-do.
The ITF's main functions include coordinating and approving tournaments and seminars, setting standards for teaching (patterns, sparring, destruction), collaborating with affiliated member organizations, and providing services members in regard to rank and certifications.
After Choi's death in 2002, there was controversy around the election of his successor that led to multiple organizations claiming the ITF mantle.
However, The reality is that:
• when the ITF, before General Choi’s death, established its legal seat in Vienna, it chose to submit itself to Austrian law;
• before the Vienna court, the question was precisely who was the true continuation of the ITF and who could legitimately use its name, acronym and logos;
• the Court ascertained the legal and historical continuity of the ITF based in Vienna, declaring that this is the legitimate Federation.
The decision binds the parties worldwide, because it concerns the ownership of the ITF name and symbols. There is no other court that has ever said the opposite.
From that point on, all trademark registrations and official decisions (national offices, EUIPO, WIPO, etc.) have followed the same line: ITF continuity runs through Vienna.