The first step to obtaining international design protection is to file an international application with WIPO. After submission, your application will be checked for compliance with form and content (formal requirements), including payment of the required fees. Note: Non-payment will result in an irregularity notice.

Once your application complies with all formal requirements it will be recorded in the International Register. Your international registration will then be published in the International Designs Bulletin, the official publication of the Hague System, at which point the intellectual property (IP) offices of the designated contracting parties may perform substantive examination of your designs.

The initial period of protection under the Hague System is five years. You can then renew your design twice, which guarantees you at least 15 years of protection.

Individual contracting party legislation may allow for a longer duration.

Making changes to an international registration

You may need to make various changes to your international registration including, for example, changing ownership or representatives.

All change requests must currently be made using official Hague System forms which may be submitted through Contact Hague.

• Find out more under Managing your Registration

Our Hague Customer Service team is available to answer all your questions and queries and to assist you throughout the lifecycle of your international design applications and registrations. To ensure optimal handling of enquiries use Contact Hague.

Contact Hague | Phone +41 22 338 7575 (Monday to Friday, 09:00–18:00 (CET))