MPEP § 2903 — Declarations under the Hague Agreement Made by the United States of America (Annotated Rules)

§2903 Declarations under the Hague Agreement Made by the United States of America

USPTO MPEP version: BlueIron's Update: 2025-12-31

This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 2903, including statutory authority, regulatory rules, examiner guidance, and practice notes. It is provided as guidance, with links to the ground truth sources. This is information only, it is not legal advice.

Declarations under the Hague Agreement Made by the United States of America

This section addresses Declarations under the Hague Agreement Made by the United States of America. Primary authority: 35 U.S.C. 171, 35 U.S.C. 261, and 37 CFR 1.1021(d). Contains: 2 requirements, 1 permission, and 3 other statements.

Key Rules

Topic

International Design Applications

2 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2903-038c9792d8a2b9c1775c2001]
Individual Designation Fees Subject to Change
Note:
The individual designation fees for filing and upon allowance of the application are subject to future changes according to U.S. regulations.

Pursuant to Article 7(2) and Rule 12(3), the United States declared that the prescribed designation fee referred to in Article 7(1) shall be replaced by an individual designation fee that is payable in a first part at filing and second part payable upon allowance of the application. See MPEP §§ 2910 and 2920.06. The amounts of the first and second part individual designation fees are subject to future changes. See Article 7(2).

Jump to MPEP SourceInternational Design ApplicationsDesignation of United StatesInternational Design Application Fees
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2903-cf0b4fedae83b8490b2d1f1c]
Individual Designation Fee Required for Filing and Allowance
Note:
The rule requires an individual designation fee to be paid in two parts: one at filing and another upon allowance of the application, subject to future changes.

Pursuant to Article 7(2) and Rule 12(3), the United States declared that the prescribed designation fee referred to in Article 7(1) shall be replaced by an individual designation fee that is payable in a first part at filing and second part payable upon allowance of the application. See MPEP §§ 2910 and 2920.06. The amounts of the first and second part individual designation fees are subject to future changes. See Article 7(2).

Jump to MPEP SourceInternational Design ApplicationsDesignation of United StatesInternational Design Application Fees
Topic

Hague Agreement Overview

2 rules
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-2903-b4db57cb60b914b0b22438bf]
Ownership Change Must Be Recorded with USPTO
Note:
Changes in ownership recorded by the International Bureau must be submitted to the USPTO for official recognition.

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. See 35 U.S.C. 261 and MPEP §§ 301-302.

Jump to MPEP SourceHague Agreement OverviewExamination by International BureauRepresentation Before International Bureau
MPEP GuidancePermittedAlways
[mpep-2903-07f864de99a9b532fa9efaad]
Geneva Act of Hague Agreement Takes Effect for US
Note:
The Geneva Act of the Hague Agreement and its declarations became effective in the United States on May 13, 2015.

The Geneva Act of the Hague Agreement, and the declarations made thereto, took effect with respect to the United States on May 13, 2015.

Jump to MPEP SourceHague Agreement OverviewBasic Hague Agreement PrinciplesInternational Design Applications
Topic

Design Claim Form

1 rules
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-2903-8ab32ab13d06eab398bfec85]
Claim Must Describe Ornamental Design as Shown
Note:
An international design application must include a claim that precisely describes the ornamental design of the article, either as shown or as described.

Pursuant to Article 5(2)(a) and Rule 11(3), the United States declared that an international design application designating the United States must contain a claim and that the specific wording of the claim shall be in formal terms to the ornamental design for the article as shown, or as shown and described. See 37 CFR 1.1021(d) and MPEP § 2909, subsection IV. Additionally, pursuant to Rule 8(1), the United States declared that an international design application designating the United States must also contain an oath or declaration of the creator and indications concerning the identity of the creator. Id.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.1021(d)Design Claim FormHague DefinitionsDesignation of United States
Topic

International Design Application Requirements

1 rules
StatutoryPermittedAlways
[mpep-2903-0e598bf9dcdebb1746801a8a]
Single Design Per Application Requirement
Note:
Only one independent and distinct design may be claimed in a single application according to U.S. regulations.

Pursuant to Article 13(1), the United States declared that only one independent and distinct design may be claimed in a single application. See MPEP §§ 2920.05(b) and 1504.05.

Jump to MPEP SourceInternational Design Application RequirementsBasic Hague Agreement PrinciplesInternational Design Applications
Topic

Notification of Refusal

1 rules
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-2903-b05b12f75dfbf8e37de63a39]
Extension of Time Period for Refusal and Grant Protection
Note:
The United States is extending the time period within which to provide a refusal (12 months) and when an international registration shall produce effect as a grant of protection for industrial design rights.

Pursuant to Rule 18(1)(b), the United States declared that it is extending the time period within which to provide a refusal (12 months) and when the international registration shall produce effect as a grant of protection. The United States provides industrial design rights through USPTO issuance of a U.S. design patent. See 35 U.S.C. 171-173 and 389 and MPEP §§ 2920.05(a) and 2950.

Jump to MPEP SourceNotification of RefusalBasic Hague Agreement PrinciplesInternational Design Examination
Topic

Hague Definitions

1 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2903-b28a1abacbfe9a7509252569]
Industrial Design Rights Through USPTO
Note:
The United States provides industrial design rights by issuing a U.S. design patent through the USPTO, as governed by 35 U.S.C. sections 171-173 and MPEP sections 2920.05(a) and 2950.

Pursuant to Rule 18(1)(b), the United States declared that it is extending the time period within which to provide a refusal (12 months) and when the international registration shall produce effect as a grant of protection. The United States provides industrial design rights through USPTO issuance of a U.S. design patent. See 35 U.S.C. 171-173 and 389 and MPEP §§ 2920.05(a) and 2950.

Jump to MPEP SourceHague DefinitionsBasic Hague Agreement PrinciplesInternational Design Applications
Topic

Designation of United States

1 rules
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-2903-db18389843b87f268b3af32d]
Individual Designation Fee at Filing and Allowance
Note:
The United States requires an individual designation fee to be paid in two parts: one at filing and another upon allowance of the application.

Pursuant to Article 7(2) and Rule 12(3), the United States declared that the prescribed designation fee referred to in Article 7(1) shall be replaced by an individual designation fee that is payable in a first part at filing and second part payable upon allowance of the application. See MPEP §§ 2910 and 2920.06. The amounts of the first and second part individual designation fees are subject to future changes. See Article 7(2).

Jump to MPEP SourceDesignation of United StatesInternational Design Application FeesAllowance of International Design
Topic

Mandatory Application Elements

1 rules
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-2903-7c69a1fb05efc5d6369df2b6]
Security Clearance Required for Six-Month Extension
Note:
The United States requires a six-month extension period under Rule 13(4) due to the security clearance needed for compliance with U.S. law.

Pursuant to Rule 13(4), the United States declared that the period of one month referred to in Rule 13(3) shall be replaced by a period of six months with respect to the United States in light of the security clearance required under United States law.

Jump to MPEP SourceMandatory Application ElementsContents of ApplicationInternational Design Application Requirements
Topic

Term of Protection (15 Years)

1 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2903-ad38c082fd5f96473944533d]
Maximum Design Protection Is 15 Years From Grant
Note:
The United States requires that the maximum duration of design protection is 15 years from the grant date.

Pursuant to Article 17(3), the United States declared that that the maximum duration of protection for designs is 15 years from grant. 35 U.S.C. 173.

Jump to MPEP SourceTerm of Protection (15 Years)Grant of Protection for International DesignsInternational Design Applications

Citations

Primary topicCitation
Hague Definitions
Notification of Refusal
35 U.S.C. § 171
Term of Protection (15 Years)35 U.S.C. § 173
Hague Agreement Overview35 U.S.C. § 261
Design Claim Form37 CFR § 1.1021(d)
Design Claim FormMPEP § 2909
Designation of United States
International Design Applications
MPEP § 2910
Hague Definitions
Notification of Refusal
MPEP § 2920.05(a)
International Design Application RequirementsMPEP § 2920.05(b)
Hague Agreement OverviewMPEP § 301

Source Text from USPTO’s MPEP

This is an exact copy of the MPEP from the USPTO. It is here for your reference to see the section in context.

BlueIron Last Updated: 2025-12-31