Hague System – The International Design System

Protecting your designs internationally since 1925

What is the Hague System?

The Hague System for the International Registration of Industrial Designs provides a practical business solution for registering up to 100 designs in 98 countries [PDF], by filing a single international application.

  • Nationals of…
  • Anyone with domicile or habitual residence in…
  • nyone with a real and effective industrial or commercial establishment in…
…any of the Hague System’s 81 members (referred to as “contracting parties”) – including all countries in the European Union (EU) and the African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI) – can use the Hague System.

International design applications are subject to the payment of three types of fees, all payable in Swiss francs (CHF):

  • a basic fee (397 CHF for one design; 50 CHF for each additional design included in the same application);
  • a publication fee (17 CHF for each reproduction; 150 CHF for each page on which one or more reproductions are shown); and
  • a standard designation fee or an individual designation fee for each contracting party where you seek protection. Note: a three-level structure applies to standard designation fees, reflecting the level of examination carried out by the contracting party.

No, you do not need a prior national/regional application (unlike, for instance, under the Madrid System).

  • Nationals of…
  • Anyone with domicile or habitual residence in…
  • nyone with a real and effective industrial or commercial establishment in…
…any of the Hague System’s 81 members (referred to as “contracting parties”) – including all countries in the European Union (EU) and the African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI) – can use the Hague System.

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You can secure design protection within any Hague System contracting party. If you wish to protect a design in a jurisdiction that is not party to the Hague Agreement, you will have to file a national (or regional) application.

International design applications are subject to the payment of three types of fees, all payable in Swiss francs (CHF):

  • a basic fee (397 CHF for one design; 50 CHF for each additional design included in the same application);
  • a publication fee (17 CHF for each reproduction; 150 CHF for each page on which one or more reproductions are shown); and
  • a standard designation fee or an individual designation fee for each contracting party where you seek protection. Note: a three-level structure applies to standard designation fees, reflecting the level of examination carried out by the contracting party.
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Make the Hague System your next design partner!

The Hague System is helping entrepreneurs and companies to promote their designs, build trust in their work and enhance their brand regionally and internationally.

How to use the Hague System

The Hague System supports you throughout the lifecycle of your designs, from application for protection through to renewal. Discover how it works!
Watch this brief introduction to designs and their international protection through the WIPO Hague System.

Digital Information Kit – interactive information on applying for design protection internationally. 

Searching protected designs

Check what your competitors are doing by searching existing designs.

Filing international design applications

File your international design applications online for have digital access to your portfolio.

Managing international design registrations

Update (transfer ownership, renunciation, limitation, etc.) and renew your international registrations.

eHague – Hague System online services

Use eHague to file your international design applications and manage your registrations.

Useful tools and resources

User guides

Hague System Members

Design search tools

Tools and tutorials

Fees

Legal resources

Hague System online services – eHague

Use eHague to file your international design applications and manage your registrations.

New to eHague? Try our filing tutorial and demo.

eHague promotional image

How to use the Hague System

The Hague System supports you throughout the lifecycle of your designs, from application for protection through to renewal.
Watch this brief introduction to designs and their international protection through the WIPO Hague System.

Digital Information Kit – interactive information on applying for design protection internationally. 

How the Hague System works

Learn all about the process of securing international design protection.

Filing international design applications

File your international design applications online to have digital access to your portfolio.

Managing international design registrations

Update (transfer ownership, renunciation, limitation, etc.) and renew your international registration directly through WIPO.

Searching protected designs

Check what your competitors are doing by searching existing designs before you file an international design application.

Legal resources

User guides

Fees

Design search tools

Meetings and training

Benefits of the Hague System

Global

Protect your designs in over 90 countries, with more joining soon.

Streamlined

One international application can include up to 100 designs.

Economical

Save time and money thanks to the single application framework.

Centralized

Easily manage your international design registrations directly with WIPO.
Download our brochure [PDF] ​​​​​​​to find out more about the main features and advantages of using the Hague System.

News

WIPO Brands and Designs

Hague System legal and educational resources

Hague System webinars

Free interactive webinars providing practical insights on useful topics.

Designs in action stories

Find out how our customers use the Hague System to support and  expand their businesses.

WIPO Design Talks podcast

Explore the world of design and its impact on daily life through discussions with experts and designers.

Hague System working group

Get answers to all your questions about the Hague System and its procedures!
Want to know more? Try our Hague System distant learning course.

News

Join the Hague System

The Hague System currently has 81 members covering 98 countries. When filing an international application under the Hague System, applicants can designate as few or as many of those contracting parties as desired.

Interested in becoming a member of the Hague System?

Find out all about how to become a member of the Hague System and what the benefits are.

Designs in action

Follow our Designs in Action stories, for insights into how designs protected through the Hague System work in the real world.

Join the Hague System

The Hague System currently has 81 members covering 98 countries. When filing an international application under the Hague System, applicants can designate as few or as many of those contracting parties as desired.

Interested in becoming a member of the Hague System?

Find out all about how to become a member of the Hague System and what the benefits are.

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IMAGE: Getty/bagotaj

Questions about the Hague System?

Our Hague System Customer Service team is available to answer all your questions and assist you throughout the lifecycle of your international design applications and registrations. To ensure optimal handling of enquiries use Contact Hague.
Support hours: Monday to Friday, 09:00–18:00 (Geneva time)
Need to talk to someone? Call us: +41 22 338 7575

Questions about the Hague System?

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Our Hague System Customer Service team is available to answer all your questions and assist you throughout the lifecycle of your international design applications and registrations. To ensure optimal handling of enquiries use Contact Hague.
Tel: +41 22 338 7575 (Monday to Friday, 09:00–18:00 (CET))

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