USA and Japan join international design protection system

USA and Japan have joined the Hague System for the International Registration of Industrial Designs. This means that designers will get easier access to design protection in two of the largest global economies. At the same time, designers in Japan and the USA can readily protect and promote their industrial designs in other countries that are Hague members.

The Hague System offers a cost-effective, efficient means of registration of industrial designs in a large number of countries. Through a single application filed with WIPO a design can be registered in up to 64 countries and intergovernmental organizations that are members of the Hague Agreement.

The international registration produces the same effect of a grant of protection in each of the designated contracting parties as if the design had been registered directly with each national office.

One advantage of the system is the centralized subsequent management of the registration, such as renewals and modifications.