WIPO International Designs Bulletin Now Available on CD-ROM
Geneva, April 1, 1999
Press Releases PR/1999/163
As of March 31, 1999 users of the Hague Agreement Concerning the International Deposit of Industrial Designs, will be able to receive the images published in the WIPO International Designs Bulletin on CD-ROM. This is a further manifestation of efforts by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) to move towards full automation of its support structures and increase efficiency by keeping abreast of technological developments. This measure has resulted in a reduction of 20 per cent in the publication fees paid by the applicants to register a design.
The Hague Agreement offers a unique, simple and cost-effective alternative to individuals seeking to register an industrial design in more than one country. Rather than having to make separate national deposits in each country where protection is sought, the Hague system offers users the possibility to designate protection in any of the 29 member states. Once an international deposit is made, it is published in the International Designs Bulletin.
The monthly publication on CD-ROM, including all bibliographic data and reproductions of designs contained in new deposits registered under the 1960 Act, will be cumulative. This means that users can search one years worth of international registrations using just two disks. Each disk, containing about nine months worth of registrations, will accumulate data from the preceding months until it is "full". In a major development, searches can now be done according to various criteria, such as designated countries, type of article and name of depositor.
The CD-ROM will be supplemented by a monthly publication on paper containing data found in the present paper version with the exception of the reproductions of designs that will now be available on the disk. The paper version will include bibliographic data of deposits registered under the 1960 and 1934 Acts, information on renewals, extensions, changes of ownership, modifications of owners contact details, corrections, and other similar information.
Introduction of the CD-ROM is a boost to the Hague system, which is constantly trying to improve the unique and cost-effective service that it provides to users.
For further information, please contact the Media Relations and Public Affairs Section at WIPO:
Tel: (+41 22) 338 8161; (+41 22) 338 95 47
Fax (+41 22) 338 88 10;
E-mail: publicinf@wipo.int.