DESIGNS – THE HAGUE SYSTEM (1999) AND CHINA

On May 5, 2022, the Geneva Act of the Hague Agreement (1999) will enter into force in China.

The Hague System allows protection at an international level (i.e. within the territory of the contracting parties) through one single application, in one language and with one set of fees. The advantage is to be able to obtain design protection in several countries/jurisdictions with less formalities.

China’s accession to the Hague System means that the applicants for designs from other Hague System Member States (e.g. Switzerland, France) will now be able to benefit from this simplified procedure through the designation of China via an international application.

However, the designation of China with an international application will not extend to the territories of Hong Kong, Taiwan, or Macao, for which it will still be necessary to file national design applications.