Advantages of the Hague System from the user’s point of view Workshop ECTA – BMM – WIPO – BOIP International Registration of Designs 12 December 2011, The Hague Pieter de Ruijter Novagraaf

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) Benelux Geneva Act (1999) European 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): Norway 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, Norway, 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/ Court 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 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  R egistration 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 WIPOBOIPOHIM # designs in one application 10050unlimited same Locarno classYESNOYES # views per designunlimited 7 description of designup to 100 words, thereafter payment of extra fees max. 150 wordsmax. 100 words deferment of publication 12 / 30 months12 months30 months

WIPO vs BOIP / OHIM WIPOBOIPOHIM # designs in one application 10050unlimited same Locarno classYESNOYES # views per designunlimited 7 description of designup to 100 words, thereafter payment of extra fees max. 150 wordsmax. 100 words deferment of publication 12 / 30 months12 months30 months

Summary: Advantages The Hague System Simple and uniform registration procedure: osingle request on a single form ocommon language ocommon 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