Hague Agreement Signatories

The Hague Agreement is an international treaty that helps businesses and individuals protect their industrial designs in multiple countries by simplifying the application process. It allows for a single application to be filed with the International Bureau of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), rather than submitting separate applications to each individual country where protection is sought. This reduces the time and expenses involved in obtaining international design protection.

As of 2021, there are 74 signatories to the Hague Agreement, including major economies such as the United States, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and the European Union. This means that businesses and individuals from these signatory countries can use the Hague Agreement to protect their designs in other signatory countries, making it a valuable tool for global intellectual property protection.

To apply for international design protection through the Hague Agreement, applicants must first file an application with their national intellectual property office or directly with WIPO. The application must meet certain requirements, such as including a clear representation of the design and indicating the products or articles to which the design will be applied.

Once the application is received and accepted, WIPO will examine the design to ensure it meets the required standards and that it does not conflict with any existing designs. If the design is accepted, it will be published in the International Designs Bulletin and registered in the International Register of Industrial Designs.

After registration, the design will be protected in all the signatory countries designated by the applicant for up to 15 years, provided that the necessary fees are paid. The design holder can also renew the protection for additional periods of 5 years.

In conclusion, the Hague Agreement is an important tool for businesses and individuals seeking international design protection. The participation of major economies in the treaty makes it a strong platform for global IP protection. By utilizing the Hague Agreement, businesses and individuals can streamline the application process and reduce costs while gaining wider and more efficient protection of their designs.