IP PEOPLE: Hague Agreement Comes Into Force in China

The Geneva Act of the Hague Agreement entered into force in China on May 5, 2022. The Chinese government deposited its instrument of accession to the Geneva Act of the Hague Agreement (1999) on February 5, 2022. China became the 68th contracting party to the 1999 Act and the 77th member of the Hague Union. China joined the Hague System, bringing the total number of countries covered to 94.

From May 5, 2022, non-residents can secure international design protection in China, facilitating business expansion into one of the world's largest and most dynamic markets. In parallel, companies and designers in China will be able to quickly and easily seek international protection of their designs in as many of the 94 countries covered by the Hague System as desired, helping them expand into international markets.

China's accession facilitates its integration into the global industrial design system, and enables Created in China, Designed in China, Made in China to blossom on the world market. According to the provisions of the Hague Agreement, an applicant only needs to submit one international design application to seek design patent protection in all designated contracting states, which greatly improves registration eff iciency and reduces registration costs.

Source: IPR Daily-IP PEOPLE

Editor: IPR Daily-Selly