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INTERNATIONAL DESIGN

🎨 Hague International Design Application

File design applications in over 80 countries worldwide through a single procedure—no local representative required, reduced costs, and up to 100 designs in a single application

🌏 Covers over 80 countries 📐 Up to 100 designs in a single application ⏱ Protection for up to 25 years

What Is a Hague International Design Application?

A Hague International Design Application (Hague Agreement, Geneva Act) is an international system that allows you to file design applications in multiple countries through a single procedure via the WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization) International Bureau. You can submit your application via the Japan Patent Office or directly to WIPO via e-filing (online).

📌 Basic Structure of a Hague International Design Application

  • A single application can designate more than 80 countries worldwide
  • The application can be completed in a single language (English, French, or Spanish)
  • A single fee structure (base fee + per-country surcharges)
  • A single application can cover up to 100 designs (within the same class)
  • No local representative is generally required (except when an office action is issued)
  • Protection period of up to 25 years (renewable every 5 years)

Japan acceded to the Geneva Act of the Hague Agreement in May 2015. This is the most cost-effective design protection scheme for Japanese companies seeking global design protection.

⚠️ Note: Taiwan is excluded. Since Taiwan is not a contracting party to the Geneva Act of the Hague Agreement, it cannot be designated in a Hague application. A direct application to Taiwan is required.

5 Advantages and Disadvantages

💰 1. Cost Savings

Since local agent fees are generally not required, costs are reduced by approximately 50–70% compared to direct filing. The greater the number of countries included in the application, the greater the cost savings.

⚡ 2. Simplified Procedures

The process is completed with a single language, a single application form, and a single fee payment. There is no need to prepare separate application forms, translations, or notarization procedures for each country.

📐 3. Up to 100 Designs in a Single Application

As long as they fall within the same Locarno classification, up to 100 designs can be included in a single application. This enables the consolidated protection of product series and derivative designs.

🔄 4. Centralized Renewal and Management

Renewals every five years are handled entirely through WIPO. Subsequent designations (adding countries retroactively), changes of ownership, and address changes are also handled collectively.

🚀 5. Option for early publication

You can select the publication date at the time of filing. Choose from immediate publication, publication upon registration, or deferred publication (confidential) for up to 30 months, allowing you to align with your new product release strategy.

⚠️ Disadvantages and Points to Note

  • Differences in drawing rules: Since drawing requirements vary by country, drawings must comply with the standards of the most stringent country (e.g., the U.S.).
  • Variations in Substantive Examination: Countries such as the U.S., South Korea, and Japan conduct substantive examinations, while others—including the EU and OAPI—conduct only formal examinations, resulting in diversity.
  • Differences in exceptions to loss of novelty: Japan allows one year, Europe allows 12 months, and some countries allow as little as six months
  • Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau are excluded: Direct filing is required
  • Local attorney required upon receipt of a rejection notice: Costs will be incurred for appointing an attorney in the country where the notice was received and for preparing a response

Comparison with Direct Filing

Item Hague International Design Application Direct Application
Preparation of the Application One copy in one language (e.g., English) One copy in the language of each country
Drawings File the application using standardized drawings (design must meet the strictest standards of each country) Can be prepared to comply with each country’s drawing requirements
Local Agent Generally not required (only in the event of a rejection notice) Required in each country
Fees Base fee + country-specific surcharge Official fees + agent fees per country
Number of designs per application Up to 100 designs (within the same class) Limits apply by country (U.S.: 1 design per application)
Processing Time Protection granted in 12–18 months 6 months to 3 years, depending on the country
Choice of publication date Choose from immediate publication, publication upon registration, or deferral for up to 30 months Subject to country-specific regulations
Renewal Procedures WIPO bulk renewal (every 5 years, up to a maximum of 25 years) Renewal by country (protection periods vary by country)
Restrictions on Eligible Countries Contracting States only (e.g., Taiwan is not eligible) Worldwide (including non-Contracting States)
Recommended Scenarios 3 or more countries / Product series / Cost-conscious 1–2 countries / Requires detailed drawing adjustments

List of Contracting States (80+ countries)

As of 2026, more than 80 countries worldwide are parties to the Hague Agreement (Geneva Act). Regional offices such as the EUIPO (European Union Intellectual Property Office) and OAPI (African Intellectual Property Organization) are also included.

🌏 Asia

Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Vietnam, Brunei, Cambodia (excluding China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau)

🌍 Europe

European Union (EUIPO) covering all 27 member states, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Turkey, Russia, Serbia, Ukraine, etc.

🌎 North, Central, and South America

United States, Canada, Mexico, Belize, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, etc. (Brazil and Chile are not members)

🌏 Middle East

Israel, Syria, Oman, Saudi Arabia, UAE, etc.

🌍 Africa

Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Ghana, Namibia, Botswana, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, OAPI (Organization for African Intellectual Property—17 member states collectively), etc.

🌏 Oceania

Samoa (Australia and New Zealand are not members → direct filing)

📌 Latest Membership Trends: As of 2024, Belize, Chile, and others are considering joining. Please check the WIPO official website for the latest list of contracting parties.

Procedural Flow for Hague Applications

1

Preliminary Research and Strategy Development

Selection of designated countries, verification of exceptions to the loss of novelty, and alignment of drawing requirements across countries.

2

Preparation of Drawings

Preparing high-quality drawings that meet the requirements of the most stringent designated countries (e.g., the U.S. and South Korea). Distinguishing between solid and dashed lines and identifying visual elements.

3

International Application to WIPO

Submit directly via the Japan Patent Office (paper) or via E-filing (online). Approximately 80% of applications are filed via E-filing.

4

International Registration by WIPO (approx. 2–4 months)

Following a formalities examination, the application is entered into the International Register. Notification is sent to the offices of each designated country.

5

Examination in each designated country (6–12 months)

In countries that conduct substantive examination (e.g., the U.S., South Korea, Japan), a substantive examination is performed. If a notice of grounds for refusal is issued, a local agent is appointed to file a response.

6

Registration and Establishment of Protection

Protection becomes effective in each designated country. The registration can be maintained for up to 25 years through renewal every five years.

Estimated Application Fees

The costs for a Hague application consist of WIPO fees (basic fee + per-country surcharges) and our firm’s representation fees.

Fee Items Estimated Amounts Remarks
WIPO Base Fee 397 CHF First design (19 CHF per additional design)
Publication Fee 17 CHF per design For additional reproductions: +150 CHF per design
Country-specific surcharge (standard) 42 CHF per country Countries for which the standard per-country fee was selected
Country-specific additional fee (individual) 100–800 CHF per country High fees apply for the U.S., South Korea, Japan, etc.
Our Firm’s Agency Fees 150,000 yen and up (application filing) Varies depending on the number of designated countries and designs. Free estimate available

💡 Up to 1/2 covered by the INPIT Foreign Application Subsidy: Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), startups, and other eligible entities can use the INPIT Foreign Application Subsidy to cover up to 1/2 of their Hague Application fees (annual cap of 3 million yen).Our firm’s application handling fee is a flat rate of 50,000 yen (excluding tax), and we have a 100% success rate in securing grants.

Substantive Examination Requirements (Country Comparison)

Hague Contracting States can be broadly divided into two types based on whether they conduct substantive examination. In countries that conduct substantive examination, novelty and non-obviousness are assessed, and a notice of grounds for refusal may be issued; therefore, a preliminary clearance search is essential.

Country/Region Substantive Examination Key Examination Points
🇺🇸 United States (USPTO) Yes (strict) Novelty and non-obviousness; clarity of drawings
🇰🇷 South Korea (KIPO) Yes Novelty and non-obviousness
🇯🇵 Japan (JPO) Yes Novelty and Non-Obviousness, Similarity under Article 6(1)
🇪🇺 EU (EUIPO) None (formality only) Procedure for challenging the application retroactively through invalidation proceedings
🇬🇧 United Kingdom (UKIPO) None Formality examination only
🇨🇭 Switzerland None Formality examination only
🇸🇬 Singapore (IPOS) Available (limited) Public order and morals only
🇮🇱 Israel None Formality examination only
🌍 OAPI (Africa) None Formality examination only

⚠️ Strategy for Countries with Substantive Examination: When designating countries with substantive examination—such as the United States, South Korea, and Japan—the key to successful registration lies in advance preparation based on the accuracy of the drawings, the use of dashed lines, and the practices of the designated countries.

Exceptions to Loss of Novelty (Country-by-Country Comparison)

Even after a design has been disclosed, sold, or exhibited at a trade show, it is still possible to file an application by invoking exceptions to the loss of novelty rule, provided it is done within a specified period. However, the applicable period, the types of acts covered, and whether certification is required vary significantly by country.

Country/Region Grace Period Certificate Eligible Acts
🇯🇵 Japan 12 months Required Publication resulting from the rights holder’s actions (sales, social media, exhibitions, etc.)
🇺🇸 United States 12 months Not required Any disclosure attributable to the rights holder or inventor
🇪🇺 EU (EUIPO) 12 months Not required Publication Originating from the Rights Holder or a Third-Party Rights Holder
🇰🇷 South Korea 12 months Required Disclosure resulting from the rights holder’s actions
🇨🇳 China (Direct Filing) 6 months Required Only for exhibitions and academic conferences recognized by the Chinese government (limited)
🇬🇧 United Kingdom 12 months Not required All public disclosures originating from the rights holder
🇸🇬 Singapore 12 months Not required Publication by the rights holder
🇨🇭 Switzerland 12 months Not required Publication by the rights holder

🚨 Important: It is safer not to rely on exceptions. Ideally, complete the application before any trade show or social media announcements. Exceptions to loss of novelty are remedial measures; conditions vary by country and are often strict, and there is a risk that they may not be granted.

Drawing Rules and Filing Practices

Since a single set of drawings is used to file in all designated countries under the Hague System, the drawings must comply with the most stringent requirements of any one country. In particular, the drawing requirements in the U.S., South Korea, and Japan are strict; if you meet these, there will be no issues in other countries.

📐 Visual Requirements

  • Six-view drawings (front, back, top, bottom, left, and right) are the standard
  • Black-and-white line drawings or grayscale photographs
  • Resolution: 300 dpi or higher recommended
  • Size: Within 16 cm × 16 cm (16 cm × 12 cm recommended)

⚫ Distinction Between Solid and Dashed Lines

  • Solid lines: Design elements for which protection is sought (claims)
  • Dotted lines: Elements shown for context or reference (important in the U.S. and Japan)
  • The U.S. interprets dashed lines strictly → Careful distinction is required

🎨 Partial Designs and GUIs

  • Partial Design: Use solid lines only for the parts you wish to protect; use dashed lines for everything else
  • GUI (Graphical User Interface): Protectable in Japan, the U.S., South Korea, and the EU
  • Dynamic GUIs use multiple still images to depict animation

📋 Description (optional)

  • Description of key features (optional)
  • In U.S. applications, the scope of protection is clarified through the description
  • In South Korea and Japan, a description of the article is required

📌 Our Firm’s Drawing Preparation Support: We provide high-quality drawings prepared by our partner designers specializing in design drawings, which meet the strict requirements of the U.S. and South Korea. We can also create drawings based on 3D-CAD data.

Points to Note for Major Designated Countries

🇺🇸 United States (USPTO)

  • Substantive examination country (examines novelty, non-obviousness, and utility)
  • As a general rule, one application equals one design (however, multiple designs filed via the Hague System are technically permitted)
  • Unique and strict rules regarding the use of dashed lines and hatching in drawings
  • Appointment of a U.S. attorney is required to respond to Office Actions
  • The term of protection for a registered design is 15 years from the filing date

🇪🇺 EU (EUIPO)

  • Formality examination only (no substantive examination) → Early registration possible
  • A single designation covers all 27 member states
  • Protected as a Registered Community Design (RCD) for up to 25 years
  • A system where novelty and other requirements can be challenged retrospectively through invalidation proceedings
  • After Brexit, the UK must be designated separately (on an individual basis)

🇰🇷 South Korea (KIPO)

  • Conducts substantive examination; has a partial design system
  • 12-month exception to loss of novelty (certificate required)
  • 2024 amendments will make the related design system more flexible (period from the basic design extended from 3 to 5 years)
  • Drawing requirements are similar to Japan’s, making it highly compatible with Japanese companies

🇸🇬 Singapore (IPOS)

  • Primarily formal examination (substantive examination only for public order and morality, etc.)
  • Important as a foothold for business expansion in Southeast Asia
  • Maximum protection term of 15 years

Latest Trends for 2024–2026

📅 New EU Design Regulation (effective May 2024)

The new EUIPO Design Regulation (Regulation 2024/2822) was adopted in May 2024. It introduced protection for digital products (GUI, metaverse, NFTs), clarified repair provisions, and modernized the application process, among other changes.

🌏 Expansion of Membership Among Emerging Countries

Countries set to join or considering membership between 2024 and 2026 include Belize and Saudi Arabia, making it easier to secure design protection, particularly in Asian and Middle Eastern markets.

⚙️ Expansion of WIPO Hague E-filing

Through the expansion of WIPO Hague E-filing, features such as the option to submit 3D models and AI-assisted drawing checks are being phased in.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q : In how many countries is it advantageous to file a Hague International Design Application?
Generally, a Hague application offers overwhelming cost advantages when designating three or more countries. For one or two countries, it is necessary to compare costs with a direct application. Our firm will provide a proposal comparing both options during the application strategy planning stage.
Q : What if I want to file a design application in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, or Macau?
These regions cannot be designated in a Hague application. Direct applications are required for design registrations in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau. Our firm provides one-stop service for direct applications to these countries, including China.
Q : How many designs can be included in a single application?
Up to 100 designs can be included in a single application, provided they fall within the same Locarno Classification. This is ideal for the bundled protection of product series, derivative designs, component sets, and the like.
Q: Can I choose the publication date?
Yes. You can select the publication date at the time of filing. You can choose between immediate publication, publication upon registration, or deferred publication (confidentiality) for up to 30 months. This is an important feature that allows you to align with your new product release strategy.
Q: How long is the term of protection?
The term of protection for an international registration can be renewed every 5 years for a maximum of 25 years. In some countries (e.g., 15 years from the filing date in the U.S., 25 years from the registration date in Japan), country-specific terms apply. Renewal procedures can be handled through a single WIPO application to renew all designated countries at once.
Q : Can I file a Hague application for a design that has already been disclosed at a trade show?
Since Japan, the EU, the U.S., South Korea, and others have a 12-month exception to the loss of novelty rule, you can file an application within 12 months of the disclosure. However, since the requirement for proof of disclosure varies by country, it is safest to complete the application before the disclosure takes place.
Q : If I receive a notice of grounds for refusal in a designated country, how much will it cost?
Appointing a local agent is mandatory to respond to a notice of grounds for refusal. The cost is generally estimated to be between 200,000 and 500,000 yen per case (depending on the country and the type of grounds for refusal). We minimize the risk of refusal through a preliminary clearance search.
Q : Can I use the INPIT subsidy for Hague Application fees?
Yes, you can. The INPIT Foreign Application Subsidy covers Hague applications as well, and you can receive a subsidy of up to half the cost (with an annual cap of 3 million yen). Our firm’s application filing service costs a flat fee of 50,000 yen (excluding tax), and our approval rate for previous applications has been 100%.
Q : Can GUIs and screen designs be filed under the Hague System?
Yes, GUIs and screen designs are eligible for Hague applications. Protection is available in Japan, the U.S., South Korea, the EU, the UK, and other jurisdictions. Dynamic GUIs (animations) can also be protected by representing them using multiple still images.
Q : Do you offer free consultations?
Yes, the initial consultation is free. Please feel free to contact us by phone (+81-6-7777-1884), email, or through our contact form. We will provide a proposal for your Hague application strategy and a free estimate.

Free Consultation & Inquiries

Free Consultation on Hague International Design Applications

Our firm provides one-stop support, from formulating a Hague application strategy to international registration, responding to requests from designated countries, and managing renewals. For small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups, we also offer assistance with applying for the INPIT Foreign Application Subsidy.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.

Business Hours: Weekdays 9:00 AM–8:00 PM

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