Securing protection for your product’s design in multiple countries can be complex and expensive if you file nationally in each one. The Hague Agreement on Industrial Design simplifies this process by allowing you to file a single international application and gain protection in dozens of member countries.
But how does it work in practice? Which countries are included? And is it the right strategy for your design? This guide will walk you through the essentials of the Hague System and how to use it strategically for global industrial design protection.
What Is the Hague Agreement on Industrial Design?
The Hague Agreement is an international treaty administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). It enables designers or companies to register an industrial design in multiple jurisdictions with one international application, filed either directly with WIPO or through a national office in a member country.
This system helps reduce administrative burdens, translation costs, and separate legal filings across countries, making it a practical tool for businesses expanding into multiple markets.
Which Countries Are Members of the Hague Agreement?
As of now, the Hague Agreement covers more than 95 countries through various acts, including:
- The Geneva Act (1999) – the most widely used and modernized.
- The Hague Act (1960) – still in force in certain countries.
Notable members include the European Union, the United Kingdom, the United States, Japan, South Korea, Canada, and many others across Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
🔎 You can consult the full list of Hague Agreement countries on the WIPO website.
Keep in mind: China is not a member of the Hague System. For protection in non-member countries, you must file national applications directly. To learn more about other filing strategies, read our National vs. international filing strategies guide.
How to File an International Design Application Under the Hague Agreement
Filing under the Hague System involves a few key steps:
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Ensure Eligibility
You must be a national, resident, or have a real and effective industrial/commercial establishment in a member country.
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Prepare the Application
Include:
- Reproductions of the design (images or drawings)
- Product indication
- Details of the applicant
- Selection of designated countries/regions
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Submit the Application
File online via the WIPO eHague portal, or through a participating national IP office if allowed.
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Formal Examination by WIPO
WIPO checks compliance, publishes the application in the International Designs Bulletin, and forwards it to each designated office.
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National Substantive Examination (if applicable)
Some countries conduct their own examination (e.g., the US and Japan). Others accept registration based on WIPO's publication alone.
Hague Agreement Design Registration: Costs and Timelines
Costs
The total cost of a Hague Agreement design registration includes:
- Basic fee (fixed, per design or application)
- Publication fee
- Designation fees (vary per country)
You can calculate an estimated fee using WIPO’s Hague Fee Calculator.
Note: While the system can be cost-effective compared to filing nationally in multiple countries, some national fees (e.g., Japan or the US) are relatively high, so always compare.
Timelines
- WIPO typically publishes the design within 6 months unless deferment is requested.
- Each national office then has 6 to 12 months (or 18 in some cases) to issue refusals or confirm protection.
- Once granted, protection usually lasts at least 15 years, renewable in 5-year increments.
Should You Conduct a Design Search Before Using the Hague System?
Yes — and here’s why.
An industrial design search helps ensure your design is original and doesn’t infringe existing rights in the jurisdictions you want to target. While WIPO does not conduct novelty examinations, many national offices do — and your application may be refused if a similar design already exists.
Searches should be conducted:
- In key target markets (especially the US, EU, Japan, etc.)
- Using official databases or via a professional search provider
- Before submitting your application to avoid wasted fees or rejections
Want to learn more? Read our guide: Should I conduct an industrial design search before filing?
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