The nations acceded to the Hague System by depositing official instruments at WIPO headquarters in Geneva, where officials from the two countries met with WIPO Director General Francis Gurry.
The accessions broaden the geographical scope of protection of industrial designs, bringing membership in the Hague System to 64 contracting parties. WIPO said the accession of the United States and Japan is expected to boost further expansion of the Hague System and encourage other countries to consider joining the Hague Agreement.
South Korea became a member last year, while Canada, China, and Russia are also among the countries exploring membership in the near future.
“Designers in Japan and the USA can now readily protect and promote their industrial designs in dozens of other countries around the globe that are Hague members,” said Gurry. “And designers in those countries now have easier access to protection in two of the largest global economies. This is a win for businesses and designers everywhere and signals a major advancement for one of WIPO’s premier registry services.”
According to WIPO statistics, 7.1% of the world’s design applications were filed in 2013 with the national offices in the United States (3.8%) and Japan (3.3%). Some 12.9% of all design applications worldwide were filed by applicants from the United States (8.2%) and Japan (4.7%).
The treaty will go into effect for the United States on May 13 this year.
Currently, US applicants wishing to pursue protection for industrial designs in multiple jurisdictions must file individual applications in each of the respective jurisdictions where industrial design rights are desired. When the Hague Agreement enters into force for the United States, it will be possible for US applicants to file a single international design application either with WIPO in Geneva, Switzerland, or the USPTO to obtain protection in multiple economies.
“US accession to the Geneva Act of the Hague Agreement will provide applicants with the opportunity for improved efficiencies and cost savings in protecting their innovative designs in the global economy,” said Michelle Lee, deputy director of the USPTO.
The USPTO will soon publish the Final Rules governing USPTO processing and examination of international design applications filed pursuant to the Hague Agreement in the Federal Register.
