Designs appear to be in decline

01 May 2010

According to official statistics, 370 design registrations were granted and renewed in Syria in 2008 compared to 468 in 2007 (the numbers for 2009 are not yet available). The number of applications for registration filed in 2008 was 331 compared to 385 in 2007.

These numbers are surprisingly low compared to earlier statistics. In 1997, for example, 1384 designs registrations were granted and renewed and in 2003, it was 1203 designs (the number of applications filed is not available).

It is not clear why design filings and registrations appear to be waning in Syria. Over the past decade Syria has been reforming its economy and the level of openness to the rest of the world has increased significantly. As part of this, a new industrial designs law issued in 2007, putting Syria's designs law on a par with the laws of many developed nations. Syria also became a member of the Hague Agreement in May 2008. Perhaps it is too early to see these positive developments reflected in the filing and registration statistics.

Official fees may also be a factor. Leaving aside agent's fees, the official application fee for a design is about $85. The registration fee is about $175. There are two publication fees totalling about $130. The same fees are incurred for each of the two possible five-year renewals. International design registration, potentially covering numerous countries including Syria, begins to look like a competitive alternative to national design registration for both Syrian and foreign businesses.

According to WIPO records, 90 international design applications have designated Syria, with Nokia having the largest number of applications. This level of designation is similar to some eastern European and African countries, and is significantly lower than neighbouring Turkey, with 752 international design application designations in 2009 alone.

Even if foreign businesses do not see the benefits of design protection in Syria, design registration appears to be popular with local businesses. The majority of designs applications published in the official journal are by Syrian applicants. Designs for product packaging including for food items, coffee, sweets and tissues seem to be the most popular. No Syrian businesses have yet filed international design applications (according to WIPO records), possibly indicating a low level of awareness of this option in the local business community.