Samoa Joins the Hague System

On October 2, 2019, the Government of Samoa deposited its instrument of accession to the Geneva Act (1999) of the Hague Agreement with WIPO’s Director General Francis Gurry. This makes Samoa the 62nd member of the 1999 Act and the 72nd member of the Hague Union. The 1999 Act will enter into force in Samoa on January 2, 2020.

As of January 2, 2020, companies and designers from Samoa 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 87 countries through a single international application and set of fees.

With one cost-effective application, foreign companies and designers can, from January 2, 2020, seek protection for their designs in Samoa through the Hague System.

Legal details

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

• Article 11(a)(a) (shorter period of deferment of publication)
• Article 17(3)(c) (duration of protection)

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 72 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!

Find out more

• View weekly bulletin of published international registrations (International Designs Bulletin)
• Search for information on the practices and procedures of Hague System members (Hague Members Profiles)
• Search published international and national registrations (Global Design Database)
• File an application through the Hague System (eHague)