MPEP § 2950 — Grant of Protection Only Upon Issuance of Patent; Term of Design Patent (Annotated Rules)

§2950 Grant of Protection Only Upon Issuance of Patent; Term of Design Patent

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

This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 2950, 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.

Grant of Protection Only Upon Issuance of Patent; Term of Design Patent

This section addresses Grant of Protection Only Upon Issuance of Patent; Term of Design Patent. Primary authority: 35 U.S.C. 173, 35 U.S.C. 389(d), and 35 U.S.C. 153. Contains: 7 requirements and 2 other statements.

Key Rules

Topic

Title Format Requirements

4 rules
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-2950-740509653bedf175c0cc1cde]
Examination of International Design Application for U.S.
Note:
The Director must conduct an examination on an international design application that specifies the United States.

(a) IN GENERAL.—The Director shall cause an examination to be made pursuant to this title of an international design application designating the United States.

Jump to MPEP SourceTitle Format RequirementsDesign Title RequirementsDesignation of United States
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-2950-712333568595a08e44e0b5a5]
Patent Can Be Issued for International Design Application
Note:
The Director may issue a patent based on an international design application that designates the United States, following the provisions of this title.

(d) ISSUANCE OF PATENT.—The Director may issue a patent based on an international design application designating the United States, in accordance with the provisions of this title. Such patent shall have the force and effect of a patent issued on an application filed under chapter 16.

Jump to MPEP SourceTitle Format RequirementsDesign Title RequirementsDesignation of United States
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2950-256b5d53b6b0050ab7becf02]
Failure to Send Notification Does Not Confer Rights
Note:
The Office does not consider the failure to send a refusal notification within the specified period to grant patent rights or other effects under Article 14(2).

A grant of protection for an industrial design that is the subject of an international registration shall only arise in the United States through the issuance of a patent pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 389(d) or 171, and in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 153. See 37 CFR 1.1071. The Office does not regard the failure to send a notification of refusal within the period referenced in 37 CFR 1.1062(b) to confer patent rights or other effect under Article 14(2). The Hague Agreement is not self-executing, and title I of the Patent Law Treaties Implementation Act of 2012 (PLTIA) provides for patent rights only upon issuance of a patent. See 35 U.S.C. 389(d) added by the PLTIA, 126 Stat. at 1531; see also S. Exec. Rep. No. 110-7, at 5 (“The proposed Act makes no substantive changes in U.S. design patent law with the exception of the following: the provision of limited rights to patent applicants between the date that their international design application is published by the International Bureau and the date on which they are granted a U.S. patent based on that application; the extension of a patent term for designs from fourteen to fifteen years from grant; and allowing the USPTO to use a published international design registration as a basis for rejecting a subsequently filed national patent application that is directed at the same or a similar subject matter.”).

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.1071Title Format RequirementsNotification of RefusalInternational Design Examination
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2950-aa06bf89c04601f1eef72a68]
Patent Rights Only Upon Issuance of Patent
Note:
The Hague Agreement does not automatically grant patent rights; title I of the PLTIA provides for patent rights only after a patent is issued.

A grant of protection for an industrial design that is the subject of an international registration shall only arise in the United States through the issuance of a patent pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 389(d) or 171, and in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 153. See 37 CFR 1.1071. The Office does not regard the failure to send a notification of refusal within the period referenced in 37 CFR 1.1062(b) to confer patent rights or other effect under Article 14(2). The Hague Agreement is not self-executing, and title I of the Patent Law Treaties Implementation Act of 2012 (PLTIA) provides for patent rights only upon issuance of a patent. See 35 U.S.C. 389(d) added by the PLTIA, 126 Stat. at 1531; see also S. Exec. Rep. No. 110-7, at 5 (“The proposed Act makes no substantive changes in U.S. design patent law with the exception of the following: the provision of limited rights to patent applicants between the date that their international design application is published by the International Bureau and the date on which they are granted a U.S. patent based on that application; the extension of a patent term for designs from fourteen to fifteen years from grant; and allowing the USPTO to use a published international design registration as a basis for rejecting a subsequently filed national patent application that is directed at the same or a similar subject matter.”).

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.1071Title Format RequirementsDesign Title Requirements15-Year Term from Grant
Topic

Mandatory Application Elements

4 rules
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-2950-34cb32febef3b9fbd257fa16]
Procedures for International Design Applications Determined by Chapter 16
Note:
All procedures for international design applications designating the United States shall follow those outlined in chapter 16, unless otherwise required by treaty or regulations.

(b) APPLICABILITY OF CHAPTER 16.—All questions of substance and, unless otherwise required by the treaty and Regulations, procedures regarding an international design application designating the United States shall be determined as in the case of applications filed under chapter 16.

Jump to MPEP SourceMandatory Application ElementsDesignation of United StatesContents of Application
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-2950-fd925955e4be69bf8db954a9]
No Renewal Fees for U.S. Design Patents
Note:
U.S. patents issuing from international design applications do not require renewal fees to remain in force.

(e) Payment of the fees referred to in Article 17 and Rule 24 for renewing an international registration (“renewal fees”) is not required to maintain a U.S. patent issuing on an international design application in force. Renewal fees, if required, must be submitted directly to the International Bureau. Any renewal fee submitted to the Office will not be transmitted to the International Bureau.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.1031Mandatory Application ElementsHague DefinitionsContents of Application
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-2950-4068cb012f561dcc3442cf6d]
Renewal Fees Must Be Submitted Directly to International Bureau
Note:
The renewal fees for an international design application must be submitted directly to the International Bureau, not to the U.S. Office.

(e) Payment of the fees referred to in Article 17 and Rule 24 for renewing an international registration (“renewal fees”) is not required to maintain a U.S. patent issuing on an international design application in force. Renewal fees, if required, must be submitted directly to the International Bureau. Any renewal fee submitted to the Office will not be transmitted to the International Bureau.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.1031Mandatory Application ElementsHague Agreement OverviewContents of Application
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-2950-089ac0ae5f074d26de20223a]
No Renewal Fees for U.S. Design Patents
Note:
U.S. patents from international design applications do not require renewal fees to remain in force.

U.S. patents issued from international design applications shall be effective for a term of fifteen years from the date of grant. Payment of the fees referred to in Article 17 and Rule 24 for renewing an international registration (“renewal fees”) is not required to maintain in force a U.S. patent issuing on an international design application. See 37 CFR 1.1031(e).

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.1031(e)Mandatory Application ElementsHague DefinitionsInternational Design Application Fees
Topic

15-Year Term from Grant

2 rules
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-2950-92dd7bdfb8a041e34946e1a0]
15-Year Term from Grant for Design Patents
Note:
Design patents are protected for 15 years starting from the grant date.

Patents for designs shall be granted for the term of 15 years from the date of grant.

Jump to MPEP Source15-Year Term from GrantDesign Patent TermDesign Patent Practice
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-2950-d2bc7a0dd87d307d6dad4662]
15-Year Term from Grant for Design Patents
Note:
U.S. patents issued from international design applications are effective for a term of fifteen years starting from the date of grant, without requiring renewal fees.

U.S. patents issued from international design applications shall be effective for a term of fifteen years from the date of grant. Payment of the fees referred to in Article 17 and Rule 24 for renewing an international registration (“renewal fees”) is not required to maintain in force a U.S. patent issuing on an international design application. See 37 CFR 1.1031(e).

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.1031(e)15-Year Term from GrantTerm of Protection (15 Years)Design Patent Term
Topic

Hague Definitions

2 rules
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-2950-9d4accaa47142c992178d462]
Industrial Design Protection Only Through Patent Issuance
Note:
A grant of protection for an industrial design subject to international registration can only arise in the United States through the issuance of a patent under specific U.S. statutes.

A grant of protection for an industrial design that is the subject of an international registration shall only arise in the United States through the issuance of a patent pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 389(d) or 171, and in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 153.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.1071Hague DefinitionsBasic Hague Agreement PrinciplesInternational Design Applications
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-2950-3018fcaa4b98e3cadb71a9c4]
Industrial Design Protection Only Upon Patent Issuance
Note:
A grant of protection for an industrial design from an international registration can only occur through the issuance of a patent in the United States, following specific U.S. laws and regulations.

A grant of protection for an industrial design that is the subject of an international registration shall only arise in the United States through the issuance of a patent pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 389(d) or 171, and in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 153. See 37 CFR 1.1071. The Office does not regard the failure to send a notification of refusal within the period referenced in 37 CFR 1.1062(b) to confer patent rights or other effect under Article 14(2). The Hague Agreement is not self-executing, and title I of the Patent Law Treaties Implementation Act of 2012 (PLTIA) provides for patent rights only upon issuance of a patent. See 35 U.S.C. 389(d) added by the PLTIA, 126 Stat. at 1531; see also S. Exec. Rep. No. 110-7, at 5 (“The proposed Act makes no substantive changes in U.S. design patent law with the exception of the following: the provision of limited rights to patent applicants between the date that their international design application is published by the International Bureau and the date on which they are granted a U.S. patent based on that application; the extension of a patent term for designs from fourteen to fifteen years from grant; and allowing the USPTO to use a published international design registration as a basis for rejecting a subsequently filed national patent application that is directed at the same or a similar subject matter.”).

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.1071Hague DefinitionsDesignation of United StatesBasic Hague Agreement Principles
Topic

Designation of United States

1 rules
StatutoryPermittedAlways
[mpep-2950-ace637842975eb2472e8a4d2]
Fees for International Design Application Processing
Note:
The Director may set fees for filing international design applications, designating the United States, and other related processing services.

(c) FEES.—The Director may prescribe fees for filing international design applications, for designating the United States, and for any other processing, services, or materials relating to international design applications, and may provide for later payment of such fees, including surcharges for later submission of fees.

Jump to MPEP SourceDesignation of United StatesInternational Design Application FilingInternational Design Applications
Topic

Hague Agreement Overview

1 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2950-da41fd8db18ff3565514cf0a]
Renewal Fees Must Be Submitted Directly to International Bureau
Note:
Any renewal fee submitted to the Office will not be transmitted to the International Bureau, requiring direct submission of fees for maintaining a U.S. patent issuing on an international design application.

(e) Payment of the fees referred to in Article 17 and Rule 24 for renewing an international registration (“renewal fees”) is not required to maintain a U.S. patent issuing on an international design application in force. Renewal fees, if required, must be submitted directly to the International Bureau. Any renewal fee submitted to the Office will not be transmitted to the International Bureau.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.1031Hague Agreement OverviewInternational Design Application FeesExamination by International Bureau

Citations

Primary topicCitation
Hague Definitions
Title Format Requirements
35 U.S.C. § 153
Hague Definitions
Title Format Requirements
35 U.S.C. § 389(d)
15-Year Term from Grant
Mandatory Application Elements
37 CFR § 1.1031(e)
Hague Definitions
Title Format Requirements
37 CFR § 1.1062(b)
Hague Definitions
Title Format Requirements
37 CFR § 1.1071

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