March 6, 2020
On March 6, 2020, the Government of Mexico deposited its instrument of accession to the Geneva Act (1999) of the Hague Agreement with WIPO’s Director General Francis Gurry. Mexico is the first Spanish-speaking country in Latin America to join the Hague System and becomes the 64th member of the 1999 Act and 74th member of the Hague Union. The 1999 Act will enter into force in Mexico on June 6, 2020.
As of June 6, 2020, companies and designers from Mexico can begin using the Hague System to protect their industrial designs in the Contracting Parties to the 1999 Act of the Hague Agreement. That translates to protection in the territories of up to 89 countries through a single international application and set of fees.
Local and foreign companies and designers can seek design protection through the Hague System in Mexico from June 6, 2020.
Legal details
The instrument of accession includes the following declarations under the 1999 Act and the Common Regulations:
- Article 7(2) (individual designation fee)
- Article 11(1)(b) (no deferment of publication)
- Article 13(1) (special requirements concerning unity of design)
- Article 16(2) (no effect of change in ownership until specified statements or documents are received by the Office)
- Article 17(3)(c) (duration of protection)
- Rule 8(1)(a)(i) (special requirements concerning the applicant)
- Rule 12(3) (individual designation fee payable in two parts)
- Rule 18(1)(b) (12-month refusal period)
- Rule 18(1)(c)(i) (date of effect of the international registration)
About the Hague System
The Hague System offers a cost-effective, efficient means of registering industrial designs. A single application allows you to register up to 100 industrial designs in 74 countries and intergovernmental organizations. By using Hague, you do away with the need to file applications in each individual country/region.
One application, one set of fees, and all in one language – industrial design registration made easy!
