How to File an International Design Application (Hague System)

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The Hague System allows you to file a single international design application through WIPO, designating design protection in up to 90+ countries — including the US, EU, Japan, South Korea, China, and the UK. It is the most cost-effective way to obtain international design protection.

How It Works

1. You must be a national or resident of, or have a business in, a Hague member country
2. File through WIPO's eHague system (hague.wipo.int)
3. Submit reproductions (photographs or drawings) of the design — up to 7 views per design, up to 100 designs per application (if in the same Locarno class)
4. Designate the countries where you want protection
5. Pay fees: base fee CHF 397 + publication fee CHF 17 per reproduction + individual designation fees (vary by country, CHF 42–$400+)

Timeline

WIPO conducts a formality check (1–2 months). If the applicant does not request deferred publication, the design is published in the International Designs Bulletin approximately 6 months after filing. Each designated office then has 6–12 months to refuse protection under national law (if they don't refuse, protection is granted by default).

Cost Comparison

Filing design protection in 5 countries (US, EU, Japan, Korea, China) through the Hague System costs approximately $2,000–$4,000 total. Filing separately in each country would cost $5,000–$15,000.

Limitations

Not all countries are Hague members — notably India, Brazil, and many developing countries are not. For non-member countries, file national design applications directly.

Sources

1. WIPO — Hague System for International Design Registration — Official overview of the Hague System for protecting industrial designs internationally
2. WIPO — Hague System Fee Calculator — Tool for calculating international design registration fees
3. WIPO — Hague Express (Design Database) — Search database for international design registrations
4. WIPO — Hague e-Filing — Electronic filing portal for Hague System applications