Overview
China has joined the Hague System for the International Registration of Industrial Designs administered by WIPO.
The accession entered into force on 5 May 2022, allowing China to both accept and process international design registrations under the Hague framework.
👉 WIPO Announcement on China’s Hague System Accession
Significance of China’s Accession
China is one of the largest industrial design filing jurisdictions in the world.
According to WIPO statistics:
- China filed 795,504 industrial design applications in 2020
- This represented approximately 55% of all design filings worldwide
With accession to the Hague System:
- Chinese applicants gained easier access to international design protection
- Foreign applicants gained the possibility to designate China through a Hague application
The development significantly expanded the geographical coverage and practical importance of the Hague System.
What Is the Hague System?
The Hague System allows applicants to seek industrial design protection in multiple jurisdictions through a single international application.
Key advantages include:
- Centralized filing system
- Single application
- Single language
- Centralized fee payment
- Online filing options
- Management of international portfolios through WIPO
Applicants may designate more than 90 jurisdictions through one filing.
Impact for Chinese Designers
Chinese companies and designers can now:
- File one international design application through WIPO
- Designate multiple countries simultaneously
- Simplify international filing procedures
- Reduce administrative burden and filing costs
This is particularly important for export-oriented industries and global consumer product markets.
Impact for Foreign Applicants
Foreign applicants may now designate China in Hague applications and seek industrial design protection in the Chinese jurisdiction through the international system.
This development is especially relevant given the size of the Chinese manufacturing and consumer markets.
China Also Joined the Marrakesh Treaty
China also joined the WIPO-administered Marrakesh Treaty on 5 February 2022.
The Marrakesh Treaty facilitates:
- Production of accessible-format works
- International exchange of accessible copies
- Access to books for blind and visually impaired persons
The treaty establishes limitations and exceptions to copyright rules for accessibility purposes.
About the Marrakesh Treaty
The Marrakesh Treaty:
- Was adopted on 27 June 2013
- Entered into force on 30 September 2016
At the time of China’s accession, the treaty had 84 contracting parties.
Conclusion
China’s accession to the Hague System represented a major development for the international industrial design system.
Given China’s dominant role in global design filings, the accession substantially strengthened the Hague System and expanded opportunities for both Chinese and foreign design applicants seeking international protection.