International Design Registration System Expands Again

The International Design Registration System, also known as the Hague System or Hague Agreement, allows an applicant to obtain design protection in a number of different countries around the world via a single design application. We reported in August 2007 that the European Community would join the Hague System on 1st January 2008. The system has now expanded further with the African Intellectual Property Organisation (OAPI) joining on 16th September 2008. OAPI currently has 16 member states in west and central Africa.A number of other Eastern European and Balkan states are also due to join by the end of 2008.

Who can apply?
Any natural of legal person having nationality, domicile, a business establishment or habitual residence in a state which is party to the Hague Agreement is entitled to apply for design protection via the Hague system. This applies even if the applicant is based in a country that is part of the European Community or OAPI but which is not an individual member of the Hague Agreement. For example, a company based in the UK may apply, even though the UK is not an individual member, but by virtue of its EC membership.

Features of the International design system
An international design application is a single application which is filed with the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) in one language and requiring one set of fees. The application may contain up to 100 different designs provided that they belong to the same Locarno classification. Deferred publication of the designs for up to 30 months from the priority date is possible. An international design application may be the first application made for all the designs concerned and no prior national application is necessary.

An international design registration has the same effect in each of the designated countries as a national registration in each country. A registration lasts for an initial period of five years, renewable up to the maximum term allowed by the laws of each relevant designated country. However, the registration is renewed centrally via WIPO, avoiding the need for separate renewal formalities in each country. The registration can be renewed in all or only some of the designated states and for all or only some of the designs in a multiple registration. Any changes regarding the applicant can also be recorded centrally at WIPO. This greatly simplifies management of the registration.

Thus, the International design system simplifies the formalities and costs for obtaining and renewing design protection across a number of different countries.

Member states
The full list of states which are party to the Geneva Act of the Hague Agreement, or will be by the end of 2008, is as follows:

OAPI	Ghana	Spain
Albania	Hungary	Suriname
Armenia	Iceland	Switzerland
Bosnia & Herzegovina	Kyrgyzstan	Syrian Arab Republic
Botswana	Latvia	The former Yugoslav
Bulgaria	Liechtenstein	Republic of Macedonia
Croatia	Lithuania	Turkey
Denmark	Moldova	Ukraine
Egypt	Mongolia
Estonia	Namibia
European Community	Romania
France	Sao Tome & Principe
Georgia	Singapore
Germany	Slovenia

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