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Canada Joins the Hague System

July 23, 2018

On July 16, 2018, the Government of Canada deposited its instrument of accession to the Geneva Act (1999) of the Hague Agreement with the International Bureau of WIPO. This makes Canada the 55th member of the 1999 Act and 69th member of the Hague Union. The 1999 Act will enter into force in Canada on November 5, 2018.

As of November 5, 2018, companies and designers from Canada can begin using the Hague System to protect their industrial designs in the Contracting Parties to the 1999 Act of the Hague Agreement. That translates to protection in the territories of up to 83 countries through a single international application and set of fees.

Conversely, foreign companies and designers can, from November 5, 2018, seek design protection through the Hague System in Canada.

Legal details

The instrument of accession includes the following declarations under the 1999 Act and the Common Regulations:

  • Article 4(1)(b) (prohibition of filing through the Office),
  • Article 7(2) (individual designation fee),
  • Article 17(3)(c) (duration of protection), and
  • Rule 18(1)(b) of the Common Regulations (extension to 12 months of the refusal period).

About the Hague system

The Hague System offers a cost-effective, efficient means of registering industrial designs. A single application allows you to register up to 100 industrial designs in 69 countries and intergovernmental organizations. By using Hague, you do away with the need to file applications in each individual country/region.

One application, one set of fees, and all in one language – industrial design registration made easy!

Questions or queries?

Contact Hague

WIPO Hague System – The International Design System

WIPO's Hague System provides a unique international mechanism for securing and managing design rights simultaneously in more than 90 countries through one application, in one language with one set of fees.