How does the United States handle changes in ownership for international design registrations?

The United States has specific requirements for handling changes in ownership for international design registrations:

1. Changes in ownership recorded by the International Bureau must also be recorded with the USPTO.

2. Documentation supporting the change in ownership must be submitted to the USPTO.

As stated in the MPEP, “Pursuant to Article 16(2), the United States declared that changes in ownership recorded by the International Bureau pursuant to Article 16(1)(i) must be recorded with the USPTO through submission of documentation supporting that change in ownership to have effect.“

This requirement is based on 35 U.S.C. 261, and further information can be found in MPEP §§ 301-302.

To learn more:

• International Design Registrations
• Ownership Changes
• USPTO
• Hague Agreement