How to file a design or model at the international level

In an economy where the aesthetic quality of a product is very often the reason for its purchase, the manufacturer has every reason to protect the aesthetic aspects of his product, with the aim of obtaining an exclusive right of exploitation and receiving the revenue generated.

With the internationalisation of markets, the increase in the number of offers, the modernisation of distribution channels and the size of the national market, it is imperative for any company engaged in an international activity to extend the scope of protection of the aesthetic aspects of his product.

This extension is facilitated by the Hague System which provides a mechanism for registering an industrial design in several countries that have signed up to the system, by means of a single application filed at the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO).

No prior national registration is required to submit an application for the international registration of the product’s design or model.

Once an application for international registration has been published in the International Designs Bulletin, it has equal effects in the designated countries to those of an application for registration of design or model filed directly in each of the said countries.

If the Office of a designated country does not refuse protection within a specified period, the protection of the design or model is the same as if it had been registered by that Office.

Full information on registering a design or model at the international level, be found on the website of the Industrial Property Office: mcipo.gouv.mc