The Hague System for Stakeholders in ASEAN Countries

From December 1 to 2, 2022, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), mainly the Hague Registry, the Division for Asia and the Pacific, and the WIPO Singapore Office, in cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, organized a virtual Regional Workshop on the Hague System for Stakeholders in ASEAN Countries, with kind support from China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) under WIPO China Funds-in-Trust (FIT/CN).

On December 1, the Workshop was open to the public and covered topics from the importance of protecting designs as a business asset to a comprehensive introduction to the Hague System, including its features, advantages, online resources and tools, practical knowledge on filing international applications and using the Hague System for obtaining protection in multiple jurisdictions. First-hand experience was also shared by users of the Hague System, including Mr. Yan Yadong from Beijing Roborock and Mr. Bin Hong Ng from Igloocompany based in Singapore. Over 60 participants from business sectors, IP agencies and IP offices, as well as individual designers attended the Workshop.

On December 2, the Workshop was open to ASEAN IP offices only and covered topics of respective roles of the Hague Registry and national IP Offices of Contracting Parties under the Hague System, and procedures for accession to the Geneva Act (1999) of the Hague Agreement. In-depth group discussions were held under each topic. Over 40 participants from regional IP offices were present.