Advantages of the Hague System from the user’s point of view

Workshop ECTA – BMM – WIPO – BOIPInternational Registration of Designs

12 December 2011, The Hague

Pieter de RuijterNovagraaf

Design is hot!

Perception

Design: important for return on investment (attract the public, licensing purposes)

But often difficult to enforce design rights against infringement

ECJ, 20 October 2011 Pepsico vs Grupo Promer Mon Graphic

"That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind." Neil Armstrong

Texts governing The Hague system

The Hague Agreement

London Act (1934)Frozen on 1 Jan 2010

The Hague Act (1960) Geneva Act (1999)

For Benelux residents: The Hague Act and Geneva Act

The Hague Agreement

London Act (1934)Frozen on 1 Jan 2010

The Hague Act (1960) Geneva Act (1999)

BeneluxEuropean Community

(1 Jan 2008)

Territorial coverage for Benelux residents

The Hague Act (1960):

Belgium, Belize, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, D.P.R. of Korea, Gabon, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Mali, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, Netherlands, Niger, Senegal, Suriname

Geneva Act (1999):

Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Bulgaria, Croatia, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, European Community (27), France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Hungary, Iceland, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Mongolia, Namibia, NorwayNorway, OAPI (16), Oman, Poland, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Sao Tome and Principe, Serbia, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Syrian Arab Republic, Switzerland, the former Y.R. of Macedonia, Turkey, Ukraine

The Hague System – General rules

Domicile / establishment / nationality applicant(s) of Contracting Party

One single filing may be governed by more Acts depending on which Act home country and designated country are party to

Application procedure – Formal requirements

Direct filing with WIPO, no basic registration required (e-filing or on paper) or via Office of CP

Application languages: English / French / Spanish Single design application Multiple design application, up to 100 designs, all

designs must belong to the same Locarno class Basic fee, publication fees, country fees (WIPO fee

calculator)

Application procedure – Content (1)

Identification of applicant(s) (natural person or legal entity)

Indication of the product to which the design applies Clear representation of the design showing the

characteristics

DM/024 442Court Den Bosch, 14 October 2008,Michaud vs Owens

Application procedure – Content (2)

Reproductions: photographs and/or graphic representations

In black and white or in color Size of the views: max. 16 x 16 cm, min. 3 x 3 cm Unlimited # reproductions per design Design must be represented against a neutral plain

background Description of characteristic visual features (no technical

features of design’s operation or possible uses)

Acceptable to WIPO?

RCD 000106034-0001 Motor car bodies

Application procedure – Examination

WIPO examines formal requirements (no substantial examination on novelty or individual character)

National offices of designated countries may issue a Notice of Refusal (e.g. lack of novelty if examined, or opposition possibility) – national procedure

Refusal period 6 months (The Hague Act) or 6/12 months (Geneva Act) after publication

Application procedure – Publication

International Design Bulletin on WIPO’s website approx. 6 months after filing

Deferment of publication: 12 months (The Hague Act) or 30 months (Geneva Act or if both Acts apply)

Application procedure – Registration

Registration date = application date, unless Notice of Irregularity Start protection:

– date of registration (The Hague Act)– after expiry of refusal period and no refusal has been

issued (Geneva Act) Protection subject to national law of designated country

WIPO vs BOIP / OHIM

WIPO BOIP OHIM

# designs in one application

100 50 unlimited

same Locarno class YES NO YES

# views per design unlimited unlimited 7

description of design up to 100 words, thereafter payment of

extra fees

max. 150 words max. 100 words

deferment of publication

12 / 30 months 12 months 30 months

WIPO vs BOIP / OHIM

WIPO BOIP OHIM

# designs in one application

100 50 unlimited

same Locarno class YES NO YES

# views per design unlimited unlimited 7

description of design up to 100 words, thereafter payment of

extra fees

max. 150 words max. 100 words

deferment of publication

12 / 30 months 12 months 30 months

Summary: Advantages The Hague System

Simple and uniform registration procedure:o single request on a single formo common languageo common currency

Uniform management of the IR (e.g. transfer, changes, renewal), keeps IP portfolio less complex

Online access to Design Bulletin

Cost efficient

Pole position for combination EU and other countries (CH, NO, TR, OAPI

etc.)

Summary: Opportunities

Let’s welcome more parties to join The Hague: e.g. USA, China

In general, increase awareness re design protection and adequate investment therein