What is the Hague Agreement and how does it affect international design applications?
The Hague Agreement Concerning International Registration of Industrial Designs is an international treaty that allows applicants to file a single international design application with effect in multiple countries. The MPEP explains:
The Hague Agreement is an international agreement that enables an applicant to file a single international design application which may have the effect of an application for protection for the design(s) in countries and/or intergovernmental organizations that are parties to the Hague Agreement (the “Contracting Parties”) designated in the application.
Key points about the Hague Agreement and international design applications include:
- The United States became a Contracting Party to the Hague Agreement on May 13, 2015.
- An international design application designating the United States has the same effect as a national application filed under 35 U.S.C. 111.
- The agreement is administered by the International Bureau of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
This system simplifies the process of obtaining design protection in multiple countries through a single application.
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