The Hague Agreement governs the international registration of industrial designs. First adopted in 1925, the Agreement effectively establishes an international system – the Hague System.
The Hague System for the International Registration of Industrial Designs provides a practical business solution for registering up to 100 designs in 96 countries, by filing a single international application.
China joined in and became the 68th contracting party of the Hague Agreement (the 1999 version) and the Hague Agreement came into force on 5 May 2022.
Who can use the Hague System?
You can file an international application through the Hague System if:
– you are a national of a contracting party or a member state of an intergovernmental organization that is a contracting party;
– you have a domicile or habitual residence in the territory of a contracting party; or
– you have a real and effective industrial or commercial establishment in the territory of a contracting party.
What are the benefits of using the Hague System?
Under the Hague System, protection from several jurisdictions may be obtained by means of a single international application in one language and with one Office (the International Bureau). The pattern of paying a single set of fees in one currency reduces the cost of protecting designs in several countries. WIPO's Hague system provides three options of publication date that can be chosen by the applicant according to the business strategy. The Hague system simplifies management of the international registration. The applicant manages international registrations through one Office, that enables subsequent changes or renewals to be executed by the International Bureau rather than multiple Intellectual Property Offices.
What is the significance of China’s accession to the Hague Agreement?
Starting from 5 May 2022, Chinese entities or individuals could apply for international registration of industrial designs directly to the International Bureau of WIPO or through China National Intellectual Property Administration (“CNIPA”).
How to file international industrial designs after China’s accession to the Hague Agreement?
(1) Direct Application
Login the website of WIPO to submit electronic application to the International Bureau of WIPO (the application documents could be prepared in English, French or Spanish)
(2) Indirect Application
Submit the application documents to CNIPA and CNIPA will forward the applications to WIPO. (The application documents shall be prepared in English only)
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