The Hague System Will Assist Chinese Enterprises to Enter the International Market

May 10, 2021

On April 29, a Webinar on Hague System for International Registration of Industrial Designs hosted by the WIPO China Office (WOC) was held in Beijing, in which more than 70 representatives from technology companies, law firms and IP service agencies participated.

In her opening remarks, WOC Director Ms. Liu Hua referred the WIPO as a golden knowledge asset, which you may wish to exploit via five sets of keys, i.e. the policy forum, the registration systems, the IP databases, the cooperation platforms and WIPO Academy. The effective use of the five sets of keys of WIPO can empower the development of SMEs. She pointed out that the Hague System is an important part of the WIPO registration systems, and WOC is working together with relevant authorities to promote China's accession to the Hague Agreement on the International Registration of Industrial Designs. She said that Chinese SMEs are increasingly aware of design protection and have more and more demands, and will surely achieve new growth for the Hague System on the road of global layout of IPR. According to WIPO statistics, in 2020, 18,580 applications for Hague registration were filed globally, of which China ranked ninth with 826 applications, a year-on-year increase of 22.7%. Beijing Xiaomi Mobile Software Co., Ltd. ranked fifth with 516 applications in terms of the Hague users.

Mr. Grégoire Bisson, Director of WIPO Hague System, addressed that the Hague System has great advantages, with major trading countries including the United States, the European Union, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Singapore and Russia as the Hague members. Some Chinese companies have started using the Hague system to obtain international registrations for designs. After China joins the Hague System, it is believed that more and more Chinese enterprises will enter the international market through the Hague System.

Mr. Lu Guoliang, Consultant of WIPO China, introduced the characteristics, advantages and basic procedures of the Hague System, as well as best practice of Chinese users. The Hague System provides right holders with a simple, fast and economical centralized "one-stop" service platform, which enables them to obtain their industrial design rights in multiple countries through a single international registration application. He said the time had come for China to join the Hague System.

Ms. Jessmyn Honculada, Head of the Development and Promotion Section of Hague System, detailed how the Hague System's online application tool, e-Hague, can be used.