International Registration of Industrial Designs

The Geneva Act of the Hague Agreement concerning the International Registration of Industrial Designs (Hague Agreement) goes into effect on May 13, 2015 for the United States.

Beginning May 13, 2015, U.S. applicants will be able to file a design application either with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) or through the United States Patent and Trademark Office and be able to secure an international filing date.  The filing date will have effect in a large number of countries party to the Hague Agreement.

Similarly, foreign applicants filing international design applications on or after May 13, 2015 will be able to designate the United States for design protection. 

U.S. design patents resulting from applications filed on or after May 13, 2015 will have a 15 year term from issuance.